SUPPORT FOR ACTION OF PRIME MINISTER

Chronicle (Levin), 21 December 1946, Page 7

SUPPORT FOR ACTION OF PRIME MINISTER

WELLINGTON, Dec. 20. "Public opinion has reached u poinl of alarm at the serious position which has been reached in the waterfront trouble," says a stalenient by Ihe Associated Chainbers of Commerce of New Zealaud. "Tke eountry is i'aced witli an industrial .'-U]pheaval which is getting worse every day and which is hitting not only the' waterside workers through loss of wages but also the whole production of the Domiiiion. If. even then, we are not to tliink of ourselves, then let us think of the people of the United Kingdom who wiil sull'e severely from this interfereuce with the despatch of their vilal supplies of foodstuffs. We liave been persistentlv preaching about helping the British i'olk and uow we are hokling up their supplies. Recent scheduled sailings for New Zealand have beeu cancelled and ships diverted to other countries. In the case of only une commoditv — wool — the stores are congested, harbour sheds are full and further supplies are still coming 'ni. As rcgards one overseas vesscl at present in New Zealand, its normal discharging and loading linie is 2s days and it is estimated this vessel will have to be here three monlhs in all to coniplete the same lask. That is a disastrous silualion. ' ' The Prime Minister has cut clearly across an agitated, situation and has pronoimced firmly in favour of the observance of orderly methods, the regular machinery and the anthority of the Waterfront Control Commission. As an association we support him compietely in that and we consider that all people, regardless of party, should do likewi,%," J