GOVERNMENT TAKES CONTROL OF WATERFRONT

Chronicle (Levin), 20 December 1946, Page 5

GOVERNMENT TAKES CONTROL OF WATERFRONT

— Press Association

WATERSiDERS' LEADER SAYS UNION WILL BE FORCED 10 ACCEPT CEALLENGE

By Telegrctph-

WELLINGTON, Dec. 19. The Government b j Order-iiLCoimcil has given. poWer to the Mi'nister of Labour to take direct control of the New Zealand waterfront. This drastic step followed swiftly npon a conf erence between Cabihet Mihisters and iiatiohal offi'cials of the Water sid'e Workers Union at which Mr. Fraser declared the unioh must abid'e hy the Waterfront Industry Gommission or face the consequences. When the Of der-in-Council was isstied tonight, the watersiders ' national president, Mr. H. Barnes, declared the union had the support of the New Zealand Federation of Lahour in its grievances and that If Mr. Fraser wanted to buy a fight with the whole industrial movement of New Zealand, as he apparently did, then the workers would be forced reluctantly to accept the challenge. Mr. Fraser meanwhile makes no statement but it is expected that he may issue one tomorrow. Mr. Barnes, in his statement, said': "The attitude of the union is unchanged. We have legitimate grievances which have to be met. Until they are our present policy will be pursued. If Mr. Fraser wishes to challenge the industrial movement as he evidently does, our union will very much regret the challenge but he compelled to accept it." Dccisions of thc AVatciTront Industry Commission can be overriddcn by thc Government by the Walcri'ront Industry IGiicrgency Rcgulations 194(1, Anicndincnt No. 3, which were gazettccl tonight. Tlie operative clause in the new rcgulations states that the Minister of Labour may, by order in writing, suspend in whole or in part all or any of fbe iirovisions of the principal rcgulations or of any order, direction or decision made by a eomniission or by any port eommittee in respect of their application to all or any of the ports in New Zealand, and may at any timc revoke or vary any sueh ordfu-. Any sueh order made hy the Minister shall be published in ihe Gazette but unless otlierwise provided it sli all take effect on tlie day it is made.