THE WATERFRONT

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3001, 12 February 1917, Page 6

THE WATERFRONT

SHIPPING STILL DELAYED

GOVERNMENT MAY ACT PROMPTLY

STATEMENT BY MR. HERDMAN

CONCILIATION PROCEEDINGS TO-DAY

Very little work was done on the Wellington wharves on Saturday. The only new labour engaged was that for the ferry steamer Mararoa. Owing- to the refusal of the men to accept engagement for tho Wanganui steamers, which were loaded at that port by "free" labour, no workers were taken on for any other ships, but a few gangs already at work oil other ships were allowed to continue. In view of the possibility of a holdup of all the work of the port for an indefinite period, it may be expected that the Government will tchday or tomorrow exercise the powers they have taken under the recent War Regulations, and assume control' of the wharves. No official information is obtainable on this point. Presumably the Government prefers to give the men an opportunity of resuming work today under tho old agreement before taking any action, or coming to a decision as to the action that may be necessary. Tlio Conciliation Council appointed to inquire into the dispute will meet this morning at 10.30 a.m. Tho -union did not appoint assessors, and the Commissioner, acting as the statute directs, has named assessors, selecting three officials of the union. If these thrco do not appear, tho dispnto will go to the Arbitration Court -without any recommendation from the Commissioner.

WORK MUST GO ON »

GOVERNMENT'S ATTITUDE OUTLINED 'A. plain statement of the Government's point of view was giren to a reporter on Saturday' by the AttorneyGeneral (the Hon. A. L. Herdnian). In his statement Mr. Ilcrdman points out why a deadlock is intolerable, and exactly why and how the Government must act to keep ships moving., "The regulations which wore published on . Saturday," said Mr. Herdman, "are exceedingly simple. They can ho understood readily hy everyone. We arc at war, fighting for our very existence, and the- Government must firmly and quietly insist that war work shall bo diligently and speedily performed. This is tho raison d'etre of the new regulations. At such a time as the present no self-respecting Government can allow the business of a country to 1)0 interrupted by any section of the community which may imagine it has a grievance. Tho Statelias already provided a means by which tlio rights and wrongs of bodies of persons alleging unjust treatment can bo investigated. "If Britain and her Allies are to bo victorious troops must be sent, to tho battlefield regularly and nxpe<?iirously; ' tho people of England must be provided with food; and at n time.when the mercantile marine is being ruthlessly wrecked by the encniv,, ships cannot be allowed to remain itllo at our wharves. Such a state of affairs would be intolerable. Tho position is much too serious to allow any troublesome section of the community to dominate tho situation and decide for New Zealand whether it shall or sliall not be allowed to do its share of the war work. Who is Responsible? '.'I am convinced that hundreds of waterside workers and coalmineis in New Zealand are not in sympathy' with what may be an organised attempt to hold up the business of the country. I believe that they are thoroughly loyal to the Crown, and that they sre anxious to play their part like men. , Tho responsibility for the presenb discreditable position I blaco upon tho shoulders of a few mistaken leaders, and I exonerate tho great bulk of tho men from blame. Tho present difficulty exists because after a futile conference with the workers the employers decided that tho dispute should bo settled in accordance with the lsw of the country by the Arbitration Court. The watersiders on the other hand have resolved to sweep the Conciliation Council and the Arbitration Court to one side, and insist upon selectijiga method of settlement which is pleasing to themselves. The Government cannot look on indefinitely whilst the disputants are wasting precious days and hours quarrelling, so the regulations provide, machinery which will enable it, to take control and enlist the services of willing workers. "The Regulations provide (inter alia): — 1. , That the Government may proclaim a wharf a Government wharf. . • . ' 2. That the Government may nppoint a controller of a Government wharf. 3. That the controller- ma? close a wharf or part of n wharf. 4. That the controller may orderundesirable persons off a Government wharf. ~>. That when a wharf is closed no-person excepting those employed by the Government'and others shall be allowed on a wharf without the permission of the controller. 6. That persons who interfere with the ladinrr or Unlading of goods, or the disnatoh of vessels, are liable to punishment. A Warning. "Thdse Regulations .(become operative as soon as a wharf is proclaimed a Government wharf, and as soon as a controller is appointed. But there is one new regulation which is in forco now, and, which should be carefully considered and understood by persons interested in waterfront work. It reads as follows: — "Every person who conspires with any oflier persons to prevent, delay, or otherwise interfere with the proper loading, unloading, or dispatch of any vessel, whether lying at a Government wharf or not, or who does any net or publishes (whether to any person or pei-sons or to the public at large) any utterance intended to prevent, delay, or otherwise interfere with Hie proper loading, unloading, or dispatch of any vessel, whether l.ving at a Government wharf or not. shall be guilty of an offence against these 'regulations, and shall be liable accordingly." ■"Tho person who commits a breach of this Regulation is liable to a fine of Gloo or twelve months inmrisomneiit. T sincerely hope," coiitilmletl fcho Minister, "that tiio action which the Government is. taking will enable New Zenland to go through this war to the. end with credit. So far she has played her part nobly, and her soldiers have

y [won everlasting fame. It will he a calamity if when the war has reached • a supremely critical stage and , our best help is most urgently needed wo are prevented from putting forth our great- ) esfc strength by any unseemly and ignoble industrial quarrel." MORE TROUBLE AT GISBORNE. Cisborne, February 10. The watersiders declined to work tlio cargo on the steamer Ripple, which was loaded with free labour at Napier, and the vessel this afternoon proceeded to Wellington without discharging.

EOLL OF HONOUR

o NEW ZEALANDEBS IN OTHER FORCES. One man was reported to have died of wounds in tbe casualty list which was issued oil Saturday. The week-end summary of (ihe casualties to men in the Australian, Forces whose next-of-kin reside ill New Zealand was issued. The names of noxt-of-kin are given within parentheses, the relationship being denoted by m. for mother, f. for father, eig,. feu , sister, b. for "brother, w. for wife. Particulars are as follow:— DIED OF WOUNDS. Rogers, A. E., 24,227 (Mrl. D. Campbell, Shropshire, England, sis. Feb. 2). IN THE AUSTRALIAN ARMY /The following casualties to men In t?ie Australian Army whose next-of-kin reside in New Zealand are reported for the week ended February 10:— KILLED IN ACTION. O'Connor, 2217 (L. O'Connor, Nelson, f. Jan 8). WOUNDED. M'Malion, 0723 (S. ll'Mahon, Wakatipu, b.). . SERIOUSLY ILL. Vincent, 544 (T. Vincent, Petone, f.). PROGRESSING FAVOURABLY. Roulston, Lco.-Corpl. A. (A. Roulston, 5a Stafford St., Wellington, f.). HOSPITAL REPORT The following aro in hospital:— DANGEROUSLY ILL. Amiel, J. L., 26,526, England. Cullen, T., 11,418, Tauranga. Huki, R., 16/1442, Hastings. Mason, &., 8/4171, Gore. Parr, Lco.-Corpl. T. A., 10/2730, Awakino. Tooman, T. S., 26/918, Remuera. Townshend, A. W., 6/3901, Spreydon. Wilson, H. 8., 21,364, Arch Hill. STILL DANGEROUSLY ILL. Kirk, Lce-Corpl. W. 8., 24/454, Gore. M'Mullan, W., 23,416, Auckland. SERIOUSLY ILL. Foote, T. H., 13,433. Kakahi. Stowart, Lce.-Corpl. A., 22,128, Balfour. STILL SERIOUSLY ILL. Couling, W. ,f.,. 23,523, Round Hill. Dawson, T. E. K., 15,509, Dundandol. REMOVED FROM DANGEROUSLY ILL LIST. Burns, A. D., 21,103, Paraparaumu. Carson, D., 4/1903, Blackball. Colliugwood, E. W., 3/2455, Paraparauinu. Sharkov, F., 21,447, Ireland. REMOVED FROM SERIOUSLY ILL LIST. Irvine, J., S/4150, Auckland. M'Millan, A. M., 12,449, Kanio. SEVERE CASES; 'Pole, Liout. D. S. A., 6/2869, Eemuera. Waddell,. Lieut. W. L., 22,910, WellingArcher, T. C, 21,C37, Milton. Ewart, E. J., 12,622, Blenheim. Hearne, J., 26/814, Nowton. Howarth, Corpl. IC. F., 12/3687, Auckland. ,Tohns, A. R., 2/2326, Scotland. Haddocks, P. R., 5/108, England. Richards, T., 24,05 i, Auckland. Taylor, L. F. C, 11/2492, New Plymouth. NOT SEVERE CASES. . Humphreys, Captain H. 1!, 22,538, Gisborne. , Gibbs, Liout. A., 14/532, Oamaru. Efollis, Lieut. E., 1/314, Wellington. ' Annals, W., 7/1943, Temuka. Arthur, L. C, 28,316, Gisborne. Brown, T,,-26,986, Hornby. Colville, A., "12,102, Tinwald. Coudhman, B. H., 5/221, Mueselburgh. Dallard, S. D., 6/2589, Waikare. Dawson, J., 13/41, Epsom. Dβ Goffe, W. F., 28,693, Tuakau. Dβ Rungs, E. J., 14,077, Riccarton. Eorl, Lance-Corpl. C. L., 12/3310, Auckland. , Grant, A. P., 12/354. Waihi. Greenfield, J. W., 8/3910, Lake Tβ Anau. Hassell, H., 10/2176, Levin. Heath, P., 10/2640, Waiharera. , .Tonkere, E. J., 10,844, Riverhead. Journeaux, W., 12,049, Hawera. Kennedy, G. F., 2/1282, Annat. Lee H. J., 23,196, Auckland. Livingston, A. E., 29,269, Blenheim. ' M'Gregor, 0., 12,454, Waitara. M'llroy; .T., 8/1552, Dunedin. M'Lcan; R. M., 23,594, Christchurch. Mallia, C, 10/343, Malta. , Mitchell, W. J., 31,316, Wellington. Moore; G. V., 2/2205, Rotorua. Ogle, C. L., 12,531, Mangaku,ra. ■ Parish, Lanee-Corpl. A. C, 29,067, Auckland. Pattison, H. J., 10/2733, Tβ Kuiti. Richards, T., 23/1161, Christcuurch. Roche, Lance-Corpl. M., 0/1703, Musselburgh. Rowo, L. J-, 10/3385, Tauranga. Svsoii," Corpl. H. W., 10/2328, Toronto. Watts, S. J., 2/1091, Dnnedin. Williamson, H. J., 25,760, India. Wilson, E., 15/158, Fernhill. Wise G. F., 2/1023, Pukeuri. Worker, C. N. H., 30,032, Kaipa-ra. : Wright, V. A., 13/2969,. Maukau.