CRANE DRIVERS WHO WERE ABSENT

Chronicle (Levin), 13 July 1946, Page 8

CRANE DRIVERS WHO WERE ABSENT

-Press Association

Rv Tcleoravh—

WELLINGTON; July .12. The rofusal of six crane drivers em ployod by the Wellington Harbour Board to woi'k coal sliips on the King.'s birthday, led to their appearanc-e in the Ma'gistrate 's Court, Wellington, today charged with being parties to a strike under the Strike and Loekout Eniergencv Eegulations. Mr. Stilwell, S.M., adjourned the cases until next Wednesday. The cases of six otlier employees on similar charges were adjourned for a week. Appearing for the Ilarbour Board, Mr. J. F. B. Stevenson said that the nien liad been told that the coal sliips would be worked on Siinda-y and Monday. The men had failed to arrive and the work of unloading the sliips had been . intfii'fered fvith. , . j Mr. T. U. .Cleaiiy, foi" the :employeefi/ said the men had no't been told until 10 a.m. on Saturday that the sliips would be worked and by then tliey had made private arrangements for .the holidav. Mr. Cleary said lie deplored the action of the Board in using the war regulations to drag employees who had served tliem for many vears, tlirough the Courts. He#eonsi'dered the situation had been mishandled by the Board in that it liad failed to take timely steps to have the men notified earlier that tliey would be called to work the ships. He considered there Was no evidence of a strike as the men had not acted in coneert but had individually decided to continue with their private arrangements. 11 ■ L ■>