REINSTATED.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1846, 4 September 1913, Page 5

REINSTATED.

- * HARBOUR BOARD PERMANENT LABOURERS. THE DEVON HOLD-UP. NO PENALTY FOR STRIKING. MEN PROMISE TO BE LOYAL. No penalty is to be imposed upon the Wellington Harbour Board's manent labourers who wero suspended on Monday last for refusing duty. Thoy aro to resumo duty in the ordinary courso this morning, it having beon decided at an emergency meeting of the board held yesterday afternoon to reinstate them. Mr. R, Fletcher presided, and there were also present: Messrs. M. Cohen, C. E. Daniell, A. D. Kennedy, A. Macfarlane, J. Cobbo, J. W. M'Ewan, A. 11. Hindmarsh, "K. A. Wright, W. T. Hildreth, J. Trevor, H: L. Natfhan, and Captain D. J. Watson. Mr. Fletcher Explains. The chairman, who expressed regret that it should bo necessary to call tho meeting, outlined (for the benefit of country members) the circumstances following the wreck of tho Devon and leading up to tho suspension. He explained that by a resolution, passed some years ago, no servant of tho board could be dismissed until he had had an opportunity to appeal. Hence tho men wero suspended in accordance with this procedure. Much as ho had been blamed by both sides, there was no option for him to have done otherwise. An article in The Dominion that morning had said that instead of giving the men an opportunity of doing the work or seeking employment elsewhere, the weak expedient of temporary suspension had been. resorted to. This had been written without knowledge of the facts, and he hoped now that tho position was explained that the mistake would bo corrected. He had been asked if free labour could bo used by the board, and 'had replied in the negative. He had then been asked if the companies could employ free labour to unload the Awaroa and tlio Echo, but ho had declined to do this, as that would bo allowing tho companies to do tho board's work. He informed tho companies that he would do tho next best thing—that was call a meeting of tho board. Tho policy of tho board had been to recognise preferenco to unionists, and it was not necessary that tho board should break its agreement because tho union did so. Tho. board was obliged under tho statute to do certain work, and this course had been exactly followed. One side now blamed him for being weak, but lio thought ho had boon firm. The other side blamed him for being too firm, yet he maintained ho had been very fair. Tho board's men had nothing to do with unions. They were engaged as permanent labourers to do the ordinary work of discharging cargo, etc., and in his opinion they had refused that work without any excuso at all. He did not in any way wish to, condone their action or minimise the enormity of their offence in refusing to carry out their, engagement. Ho had .in the first instance to tako upon himself tlio responsibility of tho position without consulting the board, but ■ on the previous day (Tuesday) the board, in committeo, had carried a resolution to em-' ploy free labour by 8 votes to 6. Referring to t'lio agreement arrived at on Tuesday between tho owners and tho Waterside Workers' Union, tho chairman stated that tho union wanted to make it a . condition that the board should forthwith reinstate tho permanent hands, who had been suspended. Ho had declined to entertain that condition, but said ho would try and make the board take as lenient a view as possiblo of tho affair. It was a (question for tho board as to whether they should bo reinstated or not. He was of opinion that tho ml'U had erred without thought and ought to be punished, but he suggested that a fine would moot the case. The board might temper justice with., mercy. For his own part ho claimed to have dono his duty by tho board, and bv the people who sent him there. If, as had been proposed, tho right, to work free labour on tlio, wharf had beon conceded, tho onus of a Dominion catastrophe woidd havo been thrown on him. lie did not want to take exception to anything that appeared in tho press becauso he recognised that a public man must expect to be. criticised, but he thought the article in Tee Dominion was in very bad taste in view of tho meeting coming on. As tho paper was proved to bo wrong it would do tho right thing if it would withdraw on tho morrow., No Guarantee of Future Loyalty. Mr. Trevor wanted to know if there was sufficient work to keep tho permanent hands employed all tho time. The chairman replied in tho affirmative. Mr. Cohen .asked on what grounds tho board's men' had refused to work and why tho board could not dismiss them. ■ The chairman replied that tho men had stated that they feared to be called blacklegs and to bo abused. In regard to the' action of tho board in suspending tho men, he read a resolution (moved by himself) carried on November 26, 1908. This provided that "any member of the board's pormanent staff may bo suspended but no such member shall bo dismissed until his caso has been considered by tlio appeal committee." Mr. Cobbo inquired if there was any gua'ranteo that tho same thing would not happen again if the men wero reinstated. The chairman said he did not seo how they could get any guarantee. Ho thought this expericnco would, teach them. 1 Mr. Cobbe went into tho privileges enjoyed by tho men, stressed the fact that the consequences of their action had been explained to them, and pointed out that, in faco of all that, the first time they wero called upon to come to the aid of tho board they had refused. Now, why employ a Btaff of permanent men at all? Tlio chairman said it was absolutely necessary to havo these men.' Ho addod that men wero drafted from this staff to moro important positions. Mr. Daniell was of opinion that tho action of tho men was deliberate, and if tlioy carried out a policy thoy must stand by it. Tho chairman considered that tho first action was ono of impulso, and the second was in the direction of tho men standing by their mates. If tho men wero reinstated and fined ho did not thiiji; there would bo any repetition of tho offence. Firmer Stand Urged. After some further discussion, Mr. M'Ewan asked that, beforo the business proceeded further, tho action of the chairman and exeoutivo should bo approved. This had beon done in comAitt'oo, and ho wanted it confirmed. He 'moved: "That tho board hoartily approves and endorses the action of the chairman and executive in connection with the difficulties with tho casual and pormanent labour staff over tlio handling of tho salvaged cargo ox Devon." Mr. Wright, in seconding this motion, remarked that tlio chairman and executive could not possibly liavo dono anything other than had beon dono. , ■ Mr. Cohen, in speaking t? jho motion.

considored that in circumstances such as had arisen, free labour should havo been used. In regard to tho permanent moil, tlio fact of their not belonging t-o a union aggravated their olfenco. Tlio board had regarded them as a forco hehind that could be relied upon, and tho first timo they wore called upon for an expression of loyalty they had failed. For his own part ho would havo said, let tlio illogical strike go on, but retain self-respect at any rate. The chairman: Wo have retained our self-respect. Mr. Macfarlane declared that the men went out of their way to leavo the board in the lurch. After getting concessions such as the permanent staff had got, the matter of suspending them for a day or two was neither, hero nor there. ' Mr. Daniell expressed the opinion that the men had mado unworthy uso of tho chairman. Eventually Mr. M'Ewan's motion was carried, without dissent. Deputation From tho Men. Tho board then received a deputation of six members of tho pormanent stalf. Mr. '\V. M'liain, who was tho only speaker, said that the men wero very sorry for what had occurred, and they admitted that t-hcy' woro wrong. Ho thoughc if the first eight men had been allowed to consult tlio executive of their association, they would havo taken up tho work by 1 o'clock on condition that the Harbour Board looked after their interests and afforded them protection. By the time tho association met at 12 o'clock they heard that eight men had been suspended, and the only question touched upon was whether they would stand by those men or not. Mr. Dauiell: Whero was tho wrong in suspending tho eight men? Mr. M'Bain replied that it was only a thing that occurred in years. He thought it would have been a fair thing to let thoso eight men see the executive of tho association. Tho chairman: You recognise you've dono wrong? Mr. M'Bain: Yes. The chairman: And that suspension was tho proper thing-to follow? Mr. M'Bain: Yes. Tho chairman:.! am glad of that becauso peoplo havo been blaming mo for going too far. To Mr. Cobbo: If an exactly similar crisis Occurred six months bonce tlio men would do tho work provided the board gavo thorn protection? To Mr. Cohen: They wanted protection from insult. The wharf could, be clcared and a ropo put up at each end of tlio ship. To Mr. Wright: There was no previous arrangement of any kind between tlio association and anyono elso as to what action- was going to ho taken. Not a Staff to bo Proud Of. Mr. Daniell said ho felt proud of the stalf beforo, but he did not think much of them how if thoy wero going' to mil away every timo thoy wero called names. At tho suggestion of Mr. Wright tho president and vice-president of the Harbour Board's Employees' Association wero summoned to tho meeting. Mr! L. D.| Brown (president) said it was not reported to tho executive that tlio first gang' had' been suspended. When tho executive heard of tho trouble thoy got together and decided to adviso tho men to roturn to work at 0110 o'clock. Tho executivo had no opportunity of convoying their wishes to tlio men until tlio position had been entirely changed. Mr. Cohen remarked that it seemed to him to havo been the duty of the •exccutivo to havo dono something further than had been dono in a case whero a serious calamity might havo been precipitated upon tho public. Mr. J. Bailey (vice-president) said his view had been that tho men should ask to go back to work, but tho board could not' bo expected ■ to tako them back unless the wrong was admitted. He declared that the first two men who had stopped work were absolutely in fear when they did so. J3ad half an hour been given to the men to consult tlio oxcoutivo, they (the men) would_ liavo been ordered bade to work, anu the whole tiling tided over. The association had not been formed to, in any rcspect, come into conflict with tho board. It had to be considered, howeverT that fourteen out of 65 suspended men wero probationers and members of tho union. This complicated the position.' To tho chairman: Ho recognised that they had done wrong and ''were m'ghtly suspended. After some further questions had been asked, tho deputation withdrew. Men Wore "Amply Protected." Tiie chairman tlien_ said he was of opinion—and his opinion had been strengthened -sinco hearing tho men. — that in vioiv of the men admitting that they were wrong and that they were rightly suspended, the oaso cornkl be met by reinstating them and punishing their offonco by a nominal penalty. He was quite sure that if tho position was pursued any further they would be vindictive. They had hoard the statement of the men that they would standby tho board, and ho had no doubt that they had acted on the impulse of the moment. (Cries of "No! no!") When Mr. Muniro reported, the position to the board's executive, they camo to tlio conclusion, not hastily but fairly promptly, that the men had dono wrong and suspension was necessary. Mr. Cohen wanted to know if the men asked for permission to consult the executive of tho association? If they got it? If not, why not? . 1 Mr/'Munro answered that they dad mot get permission. Ho did not know the association ini tho matter. (Hear, hear, from several members.) Ho -told them thoy could consult their executive at 12 o'clock. In tether explanation Mn Munro ■stated he did not report the men's request. In regard to protection, they, wore amply protected. Tho police were communicated with, and two constables went to the wharf, part of which was roped off. Mr. Nathan confirmed the wharfinger's remarks in regard to the protection of the men. Chairman's Motion. After somo further discussion, the chairman said he would put tho matter in order by moving: "That tho board, having considered the matter of. the suspension of tho permanent labourers of tho board for refusing duty, and having heard tho deputation from tho men who havo admitted their action was wrong, the board marks its disapproval of their conduct, but on their assuranco of loyalty in tlio futuro hereby agrees to reinstate them in their positions as from September 4." Mr. Hindmarsh, in seconding the motion, said that as far as ho could understand there was no actual rebellion against tho board. Tho men appeared to have acted in fear, and it'was well known that a wholo body of men would act so on occasions. He instanced tlio caso of a meeting in the Town Hall •somo years ago, when the meeting, at tho suggestion of Mr. J. G. W. Aitken,' had sprung up like ono man and marched to Parliament Buildings to present a petition to Sir Joseph Ward. Thoy created a state of siege. Ho was ono of them himself, and could not tell why ho had taken part in it. (Laughter.) Mr. Cohen expressed himself as desirous of doing his duty in the case regardless of tho consequences. He could not overlook tho fact that the men had failed in tho ono test required of thorn, and ho thought some more lasting penalty should be cxacted from the men than that convoyed in the chairman's very merciful resolution. He wished with Mr. Daniell to express iiis disappointment with tho staff. Whenever the men had como before the hoard ho had always lent a sympathetic ear to their representations, and ho hoped he

would continue to do so in the future. He felt, however, that ho would not bo doing his duty unless ho urged upon the board the necessity of imposing sonio moro severe penalty than the moro marking of tho board's displeasure. Ho moved as an amendment that as tho permanent members of tho board's staff had beon guilty of an act of insubordination and disloyalty that the suspension bo continued until tho next meeting of the board. Mr. Macfarlane seconded the amendment. Mr. Cobbe did not think any member of the board could bo said to be vindictive, but if they passed the resolution put forward by tho chairman tlioy wiould not bo doing their duty. Ho support the amendment. The chairman pointed out that if tho men wero suspended for a month they would be unablo to get work on tho wharf, and at this season of tho year Would find difficulty in getting it elsewhere. Ho thought it right to draw Mr. Cohen's attention to ,that. Mr. Cohen said ho had overlooked that fact, and, after considering tho circumstances, altered his amendment to provide for ono week's suspension. Mr. Wright announced himself as in favour of the motion. Ho thought, in view of all tho circumstances, they would not be doing any injustice in passing tlio motion. The men had been taught a lesson, and the thing )V? S likdy to occur again in their hfo-timo. As had been pointed out hy tho chairman, suspension for a period would create a hardship that was uot desirablo in tho public interest. Mr. Daniell protested against a lenient view of tlio caso being taken as implied by tho chairman's motion. He could not support the motion, and lie could not go to the extent of the amendment moved by Mr. Cohen. Ho considered the men should lose their annual holidays, and he gavo notice to movo in that direction. Mr. Trevor favoured the view taken by Mr. Daniell. On being put to tho meeting, Mr. Cohen's amendment was lost by 9 votes to 4. Ayes: Messrs. Cobbo, Cohen, Macfarlane, and Trevor. Noes: Messrs. Daniell, Fletcher, Hildreth, Hindmarsh, Kennedy, M'Ewan, Nathan, Watson, and Wright. The amendment moved by Mr. Daniell was then seconded by Mr. Nathan, and, on tho mover wishing to speak, ho was ruled out of order as having previously spoken. .In tho caso of this amendment, the voting was -six for and seven against. Ayes: Messrs. Cobbo, Cohen, Daniell. Macfarlane, Nathan, ancl Trevor. Noes: Messrs. Fletcher. Hildreth, Hindmarsh. Kennedy, M'Ewan, Watson, and Wright. The chairman's motion was then carried on the voices.