WATERFRONT HOLD-UP

Wairarapa Daily Times, 8 December 1937, Page 5

WATERFRONT HOLD-UP

PARTIES CONFER. BOTH SIDES STAND FIRM. AUCKLAND, Tuesday. Negotiations to decide whether a settlement can be reached in the dispute which commenced on the Waiana on Thursday and spread to other vessels were commenced at eight o’clock this morning between representatives of the Auckland Waterside Workers’ Union and the Port of Auckland Shipping and Stevedores’ Association. During the forenoon the conference adjourned to enable the watersiders’ delegates to confer with the men, who were assembled in the union’s quarters. After the delegates had briefly addressed the men, the conference was resumed.

The negotiations throughout the forenoon were in camera, and at the adjournment the chairman of the Shipping and Stevedores’ Association, Captain Lewis, issued the following statement: “At the request of the Government, a meeting was held this morning between representatives of the employers and the union executives, and the position was discussed from all angles. The union representatives then met the members of their union, and after the conclusion of their meeting a further meeting of representatives of both sides was held, but no agreement could be arrived at. Both sides are standing firm on the original attitudes taken up. It is likely that further negotiations will take place to-mor-row. ’ ’

Counting the Wanganella, which arrives from Sydney at three o’clock, there are twenty-four vessels in port, including nine overseas ships. No work is being done to-day on any ships, even those which commenced cargo operations before the dispute arose being unable to work cargo owing to heavy rain. Early this afternoon the president, secretary, and walking delegate of the Watersiders’ Union were asked for a statement. Their reply, after consultation, was: “We have no statement to make.”—(P.A.) HOLD-UP ENDED. MEN RETURNING TO WORK. AUCKLAND, This Day. The waterside workers’ hold-up has. ended, and the men are returning towork. Mr James Roberts, secretary of the Watersiders’ Federation, arrived by the first express this morning and conferred early in the forenoon with officials of the Auckland Waterside Workers’ Union, after which Mr Roberts,, and the Union officials addressed the men. Later Mr Roberts met representatives of the employers, and shortly before 11.30 it was announced that the men were returning to work. —(P.A.)