Bay of Plenty Beacon Published Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. WEDNESDAY, JAN. 8, 1947 TENSION ON THE WATERFRONT

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 10, Issue 70, 8 January 1947, Page 4

Bay of Plenty Beacon Published Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. WEDNESDAY, JAN. 8, 1947 TENSION ON THE WATERFRONT

* EVEN the most rabid opponents of Labour, will be unable to resist paying the closest attention to the handling of the . Watersider’s Union in its latest and most defiant attempt at cramping the economy, by the Government which gained office primarily through organised unionism. Here we have the first unique picture of the ‘mother of unionism disciplining one of her most unruly children.’ Possibly it will not be the last. The remarkable feature of the whole affair is the unbroken front from the Labour Federation which is backing the Government 100 per cent. From a purely Opposition point of view the whole set-up is intensely interesting in that the Government, without the usual parliamentary badgering is of its own volition administering exactly the medicine which has so frequently been prescribed from the other side of the House. More than that, for miracle of miracles, its action is being backed to the full by the combined Labour Unions of the land. To some extent the ground has been cut from under the National Party’s feet. Criticism has been met in full. Now, what next ? The disgruntled watersiders, backed by the complex of having won most of their demands in the past, are not likely to take the firm and united action of their fellows in good part. Defiance is their natural reaction, but the battle must be a losing one, as all reasonable-minded workers will see on a moment’s reflection. The sensible course, is to give-in with a good grace and accept the Government’s offer to negotiate, but knowing our watersiders ! The next few days will spell political and industrial history, for this country, and the outcome must have very far-reaching effects either way, for it is certain that the Government will not retreat in view of its solid backing, and it is equally ■«» s>a, 3%ts^as a “Cb’rtain that the Waterside Workers Union will not yield without a fight. To say the least is to say that it will be a classical show-down, of the first magnitude as far as this country is concerned. 4