Big Things Breaking On N.Z. Waterfront?

Chronicle (Levin), 6 July 1949, Page 2

Big Things Breaking On N.Z. Waterfront?

WELLINGTON, July 5. The national executive of the New Zealand Waterside Workers' U'nioh, at a mfeeting to-day, decided to summon an extraordinary meeting of its national councll for next week. This is an unusual proceeding, because ordinarily the council meets every second year. In effect, it is a special conference which is being summoned and the matter which, it is understood, will be discussed, is the attitude of the Government toward waterside workers. Reeent actions in Auckland and the position in regard to the Waterfront Industry Authority Will be surveyed by councillors and decisions of far-reaehing importanee to the .eommunity may be reached. The nation dl executive meeting will be continued to-morrow when it is possible that the Australian industriai crisis will be considered. Any suggestion that the union would be able to send financial assistance to the Australian strikers, is unlilcely to be aeted upon, however, as the union was uriable to forward £50 to Australia last year when that sum was votW as aid to the strikers' during the Communistled disputes in Queensland. It is understood that the union, on that oecasidn, refused to permit the despatch of funds. * - From to-morrow morning's proceedings of the national executive, both Mr Barnes (president and Mr Hill. (secre tary) wiil be absent as their appfi.catiou for a writ of man^damus in connection with the Waterfront Industry Author ity will be heard in'the Supreme Courf at Wellington. It is expeeted to pr^vide interesting news.