WATERSIDE WORKERS' DISPUTE

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 46, 18 November 1920, Page 6

WATERSIDE WORKERS' DISPUTE

1 REPORTED FURTHER SECRET CONFERENCE WHY NOT USE THE ARBITRATION ACT? (Contributed by the New Zealand Welfare Loague.) We enn imagine people saying. "What,' another waterside dispute! Why, tho Inst is scarcely over." On -tho last occasion we protesTecl strongly against the .secret conference' method of settling these affairs, and subsequent events showed we were right in so protesting. If this is to bo another secret cbni'erenco wo again (mphatically protest on behalf of tho public. Parties have ft right to set Ole in private matters that concern themselves alono; but in these industrial iaiuos the general public ig vitally concerned, as it is called upon to pay, pay. Experience shows that the result of each of these secret meetings is to increase rates of pay which is followed by increased charges upon the public. The decisions made aro reflected upon other industries, and the genera result is to keop trado in a perpetual ferraent. In-view of the .heavy financial burden"!' the Dominion' has'-h) face; that wool will probably bring several loss millions this year than laSt, and that consumei'3 aro petting dead flick of the e\erlasting passing on of costs for them 10 meet, wo maintnffl that both with regard to producers and consumers-'fne lime has come when responsible men should call a halt on the loose settlSmfn!, of industrial Tssuefi in tho easy way of give, give, o"trtng. Tho last Agreement of the waterside industry was apparently a source of trouble to the parties directly concerned. Why'iiot take steps fcr a judical settlement of these affairs by an open bearing of tho case? In this instance the public, is not even being apposed of .the claims Court *111 probably meet shortly to hear ovidence on the coat-of-livinabonus question. Vic would suggest tuft- the wnterside agroemont or award might watt until the Court hsu dealt with the question which will no doubb form part of the subject mntter of the waterside dispute. The existing waterside agreement 19 registered unaer tho Conciliation (ind Arbitration Act, as a formality. In our opinion tho.Act should bo used in the eamo way as other unions use it, by havi„(7 the dispute referred to Arbitration Court. Surely Mr. Roberts, secretary 0 tho Watorside 'Workers Federation will n»ree to thus use tho Act after his earnest appeal to the Minister of Labour to nreservfl tlio I.C. nnu A. Act. Are wo mistakon? And is it the sh'l J * rtflic companies who are agamßt 'the Acti' We"have no desire to do tefustlce to any one. I f the waterside : workers can ■ prove tl'eir right to .ft higher w«e let them have i l . We urge. Kowovo?, that secret settlements aro bad for tlie_ pubjio, and we appeal. For an open hearing, f°r p' cfercnce bv means of the machinery ot the Ai'liitratlon Act. It is no uSo the parties saying tftev want the Act, whilst m pracr tice they Ignore It.