Auckland Watersiders Withdraw Charges Against Union Coy.

Grey River Argus, 1 June 1948, Page 5

Auckland Watersiders Withdraw Charges Against Union Coy.

AUCKLAND. May 31. The Auckland Waterside Workers’ Union to-day withdrew from the Magistrate’s Court three charges against the Union Steam Ship Company alleging a lock-out, under the Strike and Lock-out Emergency Regulations, during the dispute which is holding up the unloading .of Australian wheat from the freighter Mountpark. The union’s solicitor, Mr R. E. Fawcett, asked for an adjournment sine die. Mr C. A- Hamer, for the Union Company, opposed the application. The Magistrate, Mr J. H. Luxford, requested the union to proceed with its case. Mr Fawcett said the union’s witnesses were not at court. Mr Luxford offered to defer the case until later in the day. After a brief consultation with the president of the union (Mr H. Barnes), Mr Fawcett said:- “The union has no alternative but to withdraw the charges.” AUCKLAND WHARF WORK AUCKLAND, May 31. By 5 o’clock this evening the port of Auckland will have returned almost to normal, and only one ship, additional to the dispute steamer. Mountpark, will not be fully worked tomorrow. The Union Company’s collier. Kartigi, which was delayed on Friday through an engine-room staff complaint; will sail for Westport this afternoon. It is understood that the better cleaning rags, as requested,have been supplied.