THE WATERSIDERS

Hokitika Guardian, 19 July 1932, Page 2

THE WATERSIDERS

EFFORTS TO END DEADLOCK. STRENUOUS EFFORTS BEING MADE. (Per Press Association — Copyright.) WELLINGTON, July 18 -Stronnous efforts are being made by both sides to end a deadlock in the waterfront labour negotiations. Unless a,n. agreement is reached in the meantime, the award at present governing tthe employment of waterside workers in New Zealand' will expire oat the end of one month. Tire-'workers by a secret-ballot have almost 'unanimously rejected the terms offered by the shipowners. At the Conciliation Council meeting on June 24th. lasi, the owners submitted proposals for the consideration of the workers. These proposals provided for a rate of pay of Is lid per hour, in place of the existing rate of 2s 1 l-sd. The original rate was 2s 4d per hour, hut this was reduced by 10 per cent, by order of th© Arbitration Court.

When the Conciliation Council resumed on Saturday with the Conciliation Commissioner (Mr W, Newton) J>l 1 0siding ) jit tf; Glover, oil behalf of the Waterside . 'Workers’" Federation; fepOrteJ that ft secret ballot had been taken throughout New Zealand on the question of the acceptance or rejection of the owners’ proposals. This had resulted in the proposals, being rejected (| almost unanimously. The actual figures were not revealed This means the conciliation proceedings have broken down.

Under the terms of the amendment to the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act th© Conciliation Commissioner will advise the Registrar of Awards that it lias not been possible to reach an agreement. At the expiry of one month the award will lapse. Unless an agreement is reached in the meantime watersiders throughout New Zealand will at the end of the mouth be working without any award.

Proceedings of the Conciliation Council have extended over several month'. It is still hoped' that it will be possible to bring about an agreement between the parties, as neither side desires to. see the award'lapse!