OFFICIAL STATEMENT BY MINISTERS

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 151, 22 March 1939, Page 12

OFFICIAL STATEMENT BY MINISTERS

Addresses To Unionists

DECISION TO RESUME WORK ALMOST UNANIMOUS

After the stop-work meeting yesterday of Wellington waterside workers an official statement was issued by the two Ministers, who were present, Mr. Fraser and Mr. Webb. It was stated that a resolution to resume normal working was adopted almost unanimously. The statement is as follows:

At a crowded meeting of waterside workers held in the Tivoli Theatre the Minister of Labour and the Minister of Marine addressed the men and gave an outline of the Government’s policy concerning any form of interference with the work on the water front that would prove detrimental to the loading and discharging of cargoes. They emphasized that the Government had supported and encouraged all forms of genuine unionism, and bad assisted the workers generally to obtain the highest standard of living that industries could pay. The Government, through the Labour Department, assisted in the enforcement of those agreements, but insisted that once an agreement was come to any dispute or disagreement arising out of the agreement should be referred through constitutional channels, to be there dealt with by the disputes committees, local and national. The case lor the workers should be handled by their accredited representatives and irregular action should not be tolerated. Standard of Living. They pointed out that the very industrial life of the community and the maintenance of a high standard of living was dependent upon efficient work, not only on the waterfront, but throughout New Zealand, and appealed to the men to appreciate that point of view. They pointed out that the Government would not protect men who would not do a reasonable day’s work for the money received, and they were most emphatic that if men declined to work they could not expect and would not get the Government’s backing. It was agreed by the workers themselves that a small minority of their members 'were not playing the game. The Ministers appealed to thosb members to play the game and do a fair day’s work ; failing that, they could not expect to enjoy the privileges of a closed union and equalization of hours. The Ministers also pointed out plainly the steps the Government would be compelled to take if the nation’s economic life continued to lie threatened by “gorslow” or other detrimental tactics. Only One Government. The Ministers made it quite clear that there could only be one Government, that the Government was fully conscious of its responsibility to the people of this country, and would not hesitate to use its full powers in the protection of the interests of the country, including those of genuine trade unionism, which should and would cooperate with the Government in its work of social advancement. Both Ministers were gratified with the excellent spirit displayed by the great majority of the men, and they left the meeting confident that more eflieient work and closer co-operation would prevail. They stated that they expected the same co-operation from the shipowners. The Government was anxious to facilitate the economic loading and discharging of vessels, and asked the men for their fullest cooperation in the discharge of that work. A motion to resume normal working was carried almost nnafiiniously. It was clear that the predominant feeling was anxiety to co-operate with the Government in the efficient working of the port and the dispatch of commodities for the overseas market.