THE WATERSIDE WORKERS' STRIKE

New Zealand Tablet, 4 December 1913, Page 36

THE WATERSIDE WORKERS' STRIKE

PROPOSED MEDIATION REJECTED BY THE EMPLOYERS The question of making an endeavor to end the strike was raised in v the House of Representatives on Wednesday afternoon of last week by Sir Joseph Ward. He said he was not attempting in any way to make party capital out of the present trouble, and he was bringing the matter up without having consulted anybody. He estimated that the loss resulting from the strike was about a quarter of a million a week. The loss was being shared by the whole community, and that portion which was now being borne by the shipping companies and merchants would no doubt be in the main passed on to the public later on. He appealed to the Prime Minister to ask both parties to refer the matter unconditionally to the sole and final arbitrament of Sir Joshua Williams—a just, far-seeing, and fearless judge, who possessed the confidence of the public in the highest degree. Each side should agree to be bound by the decision of such a judge. If either or both parties declined to agree to this, it could only be inferred that more than justice was desired. He had no doubt that Sir Joshua Williams would be willing to act' as suggested. If this course were agreed to the whole of the unions should go back to work at once, pending the judge’s decision. In reply, Mr. Massey expressed his pleasure at Sir J. Ward’s assurance that his request was not actuated by party. He accepted that, and could assure the hon. gentleman that the Government was fully seized of the grave responsibility that rested upon its shoulders in connection with the industrial difficulty from which the country was suffering. ■ ,The executive officers of the United Federation .of Labor on Thursday stated that they had read the proposal made by Sir Joseph Ward in Parliament that each party to the present industrial conflict should be invited to submit its case unreservedly to the arbitra»tion of Sir Joshua Williams. These officers, speaking on behalf of the federation, expressed their willingness to have the whole dispute submitted at once to his Honor’s uncontrolled discretion. They further said that the federation had always been willing to invoke an impartial and intelligent tribunal to determine the terms upon which the present great struggle should be terminated, but throughout the employers’ representatives had been actuated by a spirit of determination to allow no arbitration save on condition that the

Waterside Workers' Union must come under the Arbitration Act. ■;■-.; :

The Employers', Farmers', and Citizens' Defence Association held a meeting on Friday to consider the proposal to hand over the dispute to Sir Joshua Williams. The proposal was rejected. . The Federation of Labor officials stated on Friday evening, in reference to the employers' refusal to submit the dispute to the arbitrament of Sir Joshua Williams: —lt is now apparent that the sole reason actuating the employers in continuing the struggle was a desire to wipe out all forms of organisation • not palatable to them. The sole responsibility for the continuance of the dispute now rests upon the ; employers. All the unions engaged in the strike were sincere in a desire to see a speedy settlement.' Matters were very busy in Wellington during the past week. On Friday there were 28 vessels at the wharves taking in or discharging cargo. All the available labor was engaged. Several members of the Strike Committee were bound over on Monday at the Magistrate's Court, Dunedin, to keep the peace for six months, each in his own recognizance of £IOO and one surety of £SO. :. According to the Press Association work is proceeding expeditiously and uninterruptedly in Wellington, where about 1200 men were employed during the early part of the week. The new Waterside Workers' Union is reported to have a membership of about 1700. There was no cessation in activity of work amongst shipping companies during the past week in Auckland, and throughout that period the berthage available had been occupied almost continuously. Now the Harbor Board authorities are able to deal with the vessels as

they arrive, and the conditions on the waterfront are rapidly drifting back to normal. During the three weeks previous to the one just completed the list of arrivals showed a marked preponderance over the number entered outwards, and for a time the harbor was full of vessels riding at anchor, but that undesirable state of affairs has been almost completely overcome. The port of Lyttelton is now busier than it has been for nearly twelve months.