ON THE WATERFRONT

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2997, 7 February 1917, Page 6

ON THE WATERFRONT

WORK PROCEEDING AS USUAL DISPUTES COMMITTEE MEETS ; Work wont on without any interrup- j tion o£ consequence on tlie Wellington ' wharves yesterday. In the afternoon.the Disputes' Committee sat for three hours and a quar- ' ter considering the question raised about the use of nets for the unloading of vessels. The ■ committee came to : no decision, but negotiations are not ; yet broken off. It is understood .that the union representatives wish to have < the matter discussed very exhaustively, : with a volume of evidence from their ' sido. The committee will reassemble ' in a day or two. At "Wanganui yesterday the coastal vessels jn_ port were being worked by free labour. During the day 73 men were at work, and in the evening, in [ the overtime hours, 'there were 125 men going. And reports received state that the work was being done very . well. These vessels should ho ready to sail from "Wanganui to-day for Wellington. DEADLOCK AT GISBORNE NO REINSTATEMENT OF MEN DISMISSED. By Telegraph—Press Association. Cisborne, February 6. There is fto change in the waterside situation. The men met this morning and confirmed the attitude of their representatives yesterday regarding the reinstatement of the dismissed men. It was decided to wait further developments. • ' The Arahura was unable to discharge her Gisborno cargo. At a meeting of directors of the ShecrAfarmers' Company, which own the lightering plant, it was resolved that the men having refused employment at the instance of the union, the company is not prepared to reinstate them unless it is assured by the union that until a fresh agreement is made the port will be worked without restriction of hours and under the general conditions obtaining during the past twelve months. FREE LABOUR AT WANGANUI WORK IN FULL SWING. By Telegraph—Press Association. ■ Wanganui, February 6. The' latest development in connection with the watersiders' trouble was that work was resumed by free labourers on the wharf this morning. Between forty and fifty men offered their services,' and the steamers Putiki, Breeze, and Jolm are being unloaded. More men 'offered after lunch, and plenty of labour will be available for working overtime to-night. Members of tho Watersiders' Union' turned up at 8 o'clock this morning and were told ihey could start under the old conditions, but the men walked away._ A CONFERENCE DECLINED By Telegraph—Press Association. N V?anganui, February. 6. No watersiders offered for work this morning, and voluntary labour was engaged to unload tho three coastal steamers at the wharf. One hundred and fifty men were employed during the day and evening, and an equal number were turned down, not being required. The National Reserve marched to the wharf this evening to assist, but found that more than sufficient labour was available. There was no disturbance of any kind, the watersiders viewing the situation' with indifference. Offi-. cials stated to-night that in comparison with several months past the cargo was handled in record time. A conference of employers and watersiders was suggested for to-morrow, but was declined by the employers; POSITIO-FaT NAPIER By Telegraph—Press Association. Napier, February' 6. , The position is unchanged in the wharf labourers' dispute. The employers have sent a letter to the Waterside Workers' Union, stating tbat unless work is resumed under the agreement steps will be taken to open the port. Later, Conditions at the port, are still the same. The Kurow and the Kittawa, coal boats, and a Home liner are idle.