“PEACE IN OUR INDUSTRY”

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24914, 29 June 1946, Page 8

“PEACE IN OUR INDUSTRY”

HOPE OF WATERSIDE WORKERS NATIONAL SECRETARY’S STATEMENT (P.A.) WELLINGTON, June 28. “We are looking for peace m our industry with a new waterfront setup. We never have desired industrial hold-ups, which only mean empty cupboards for the workers,” said the national secretary of the Waterside Workers’ Union (Mr T. Hill), commenting to-day on the new waterfront control system. “It is observed, however, that certain employers have already fired shots. They have used Pearl Harbour tactics against the new authority before it has had a chance to function.” Mr Hill said it was regrettable that employers’ representatives on the Wellington Harbour Board had attempted to “Pearl Harbour” the new commission. It must be understood that the new commission, comprising representatives of the employers, the union, and a judge as chairman, had been a long-standing demand of the employers. When the previous commission was established it met with hostile opposition from the employers and it did not have the full approval of the union. Further, the old commission was only established because of the failure to obtain a new award for the industry. The waterside workers’ award expired in 1938. Negotiations were carried on until 1940, but no agreement could be obtained, and with the war reaching a critical stage, the Government established the Waterfront Control Commission, which brought down an order in June, 1940, governing wages and conditions. When one took into consideration the fact that its operations were carried on during six difficult years of war and lacked the full co-operation of the employers, one could appreciate the remarkable job the commission did. The new commission, with representatives of both employers and workers, would have as its first duty the bringing down of a new agreement. Failing settlement by the parties, it rested with the chairman to give a decision.

Mr Hill said he sincerely trusted the chairman would not be called upon to make too many decisions. The spirit of conciliation and compromise on both sides would lighten the chairman’s task and bring better results to all concerned,’ He was confident his colleagues on the commission w’ould do their utmost to that end. As general secretary, he would do all in his power to mobilise members of the union to give full support to the commission and to promote that desired objective—peace and economic ity to those in the industry. As with the employers, there might be members of the union who did not like the present commission, but they had common honesty and, before making any criticism, they were prepared to give the commission a fair trial It was regrettable that members of the Harbour Board saw fit to attack the set-up of the new commission before it had a chance to function. He sincerely trusted certain views expressed by Harbour Board members were not those of the Employers’ Association, and that the spirit of conciliation would prevail.