THE WATERSIDE DISPUTE

Waikato Times, Volume 94, Issue 14600, 25 February 1921, Page 6

THE WATERSIDE DISPUTE

DESERTING THE WHARVES. MEN NOT UNANIMOUS. (Special Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, February 23. Mr L. Glover, president of the Waterside Workers' Federation, and Mr .1. Roberts , the secretary of the Federation, returned to Wellington yesterday, but so far there is no indication of their presence having affected the position on the wharves one way or the other. The first step towards a settlement must come from their side. Seventeen ships in the port, were idle yesterday, and the owners are holding firmly to their determination to employ no more labour tiil the men give the required guarantees to maintain normal conditions. Several vessels were moved into the stream to-day, and if the position remains unchanged arrangements will be niade for paying off t! rows. A Dissatisfied MinorityThough no considerable number of the watersidcrs have given any public ; expression of disapproval of the policy | or' their leaders, there is a feeling abroad that the men arc by no means unanimous on Ihe points at issue. This rests not merely upon the anonymous letters and the second-hand accounts of dissatisfaction on the part Of any married men which have appeared in Hi" newspapers, but mainly on the attitude of the more responsible section of the workers, who have no sympathy with the pin-pricking policy of the •past, and the present. This minority -may not he strong enough to exercise any marked influence upon the coun--sels of the Federation, but it will go a j lun:: wa:. m mould ig punii: Oitiil on. The Shipowners Prepared. ! The one thing certain annul the situation is that the shipowners have chosen their own time for a trial of strength, and that they arc not going to be turned from their purpose by appeals from one quarlcr or another. Whether the trouble lasts for a week or for six months they will gel their way, and though they are not exactly regardless of expense they arc not going to allow the cost to deter them from reaching their goal. It is hoped lii.il Ihcsc obvious facts will weigh with the executive of the Federation, and that it will not involve the country in a bitter struggle which could have only one end. The Government. The time has not yet arrived for the Government to take a hand in the matter, even to the length of offering lis services' towards conciliation, bul the Prime Minister and the Minister of Labour are keeping a close watch on the situation with a view to mediation should a favourable opportunity occur. At the moment they are more hopeful Of a speedy settlement than they were a day or two ago, but they have no more definite information than lias been given to the public. If the worst should happen it might make Mr Massey's proposed visit to London extremely difficult., but Ministers do not expect the trouble to drag on as the strike of l!M:i did, and are fairly confldent of being in smooth water by the time Parliament meets for ttie short session-