GLOVES OFF TO WHARFIES

Chronicle (Levin), 1 April 1949, Page 5

GLOVES OFF TO WHARFIES

Fress Assoctation)

Minister's Letter To Union fWO QUESTIONS FOR ANSWER

( Per

WELLINGTON, April 1. Expressing concern at the number of ' waterfrbnt atpppages of work recehtly, the Government has asked the New Zealand Watefsiders' Union to conduct k secret ballot Of members on the , following two questions:— 1. Are you in favour of a confcinuance of the joint management of the waterfront industry through the commission form of control of ■"•he waterfront 1 2. If so, are you prepared to ^ccept and abide bv all decisions of the Waterfront Industry Authority? The decision is sought- by April 21 and in the meantime, pending the receipt of the members' deoision, "the Government "will take the neeessary steps to ensure that o t any port where an unsuthorised stoppage. of work occurs the guaronteed dailv and weekly minimum nayments .will be cancelled. and such other discip'inary action taken as may be neeessary." Intimation to this effect is contained in a letter sent today by the Minister- of Labour, Mr. McLagan, o Mr. T. HUI. secretarv of the.NeW. Zealand Waterside Workers' Union. The M:n^tar, in his ""etter, announced that a copy was being handed to the Press. ■ ' • Mr. McLagan's letter stated that the numerous stoppages of work which hacfrecently occurred on the waterfront throuehout New Zealand since the interim decision of the Waterfront Industry Authority on February 9 lncreasing wages by 2|d hourly were a gross and flagrant breach of the written undertaking given by the union in November thaf- it would accept and abide by the decisions of the commission and the authority.