Waterfront Crisis Increasingly Serious

Chronicle (Levin), 18 December 1946, Page 6

Waterfront Crisis Increasingly Serious

- Press Association

By Telegraph-

CHRISTCHURCH, Dec. 17. In view of the seriousness and urgency of the waterfront dispute the leader of the Opposition (Mr. S. Cl. Holland) today telegraphed to the Prime Minister urging him to summon a conference of representativc interests to, examine the situation and to endeavour to find a solution, unless the Prime Minister coutemplated a' settlement during the next day or two; Mr. Holland suggested that the following interests be invited to the proposed conference : The Ctovernment, the watersiders, Ihe Federation of Labour, the ship])ing industry, the primary produeers and the Parliamentary Opposition, •' 4 representing a!s it does over half.a million electors in New Zealand." The telegram sent by Mr. Holland read: "The continuation of the present shipping crisis is paralysing trade throughoiit New Zealand. Iiuge quantities of urgently needed goods are awaiting shipment at various ports and enormous losses, which must be borne by the people, are being made. Last week widespread appeals wei'e made and are still being made to provide food for the people of Britain. "The Goverimient has freqnently appealed for more production, but those who wisli to respond to those appeals are becoming disheartened, discouraged and disgusted tliat their efforts are frustrated and nullified by the present situation. It is reported that food sliips are being diverted from New Zealand because of the conditions prevailing here, and I am informed that preeious rei'rigerated shipping space brought to New Zealand to carry away , porisliable foodstuffs is being loaded with wool beeause food eannot be loaded. The present situation has continued for some weeks, and apart from oue or two meagre newspaper announcements the public is unaware of the steps being taken to restore order out of the present chaotie situation."