WORK REFUSED.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 222, 19 August 1937, Page 4

WORK REFUSED.

WATERSIDERS’ DECISION.

BUREAU SYSTEM WANTED

Per Press Association

WELLINGTON, Aug. 18. The trouble that has arisen on the Wellington waterfront regarding the terms of employment under the proposed bureau system was advanced another stage to-day when the available men declined to respond to calls for labour to work ships which arrived or were due to arrive this morning. This attitude was dictated by the d«:ision reached at the stop-work meeting last week not to accept engagement unless the bureau system of engaging and employing waterside labour was put into operation.

The only ships working in port were those which had arrived prior to this morning and all other ships were idle throughout the day. The inter-island steamers, Rangatira, Arahura, and Kaitoa, landed their passengers, baggage and mails with their own men but worked' no cargo.

The Kaiwarra and Wingatui, which arrived from "Westport with over 5000 tons of much-needed coal, were unable to start discharging. The overseas liner Port Gisborne also remained idle. Frozen meat, which arrived from the works to be loaded into the Port Gisborne, reached the wharf but was not touched; The sailing of the Kaitoa for Nelson was canceliecU She will miss one round trip to Nelson. The Matangi is expected to sail for Nelson as usual to-morrow night and will carry passengers who had booked by the Kaitoa.

A conference of representatives of the shipowners and waterside workers was held at Parliament Buildings this morning, the Minister of Marine (Hon. P. Fraser) and the acting-Minister of Labour (Hon. P. C. Webb) being present.

During Ihe afternoon a further meetr ing was held by the shipowners’ representatives and the Ministers. It was stated to-night that a stop-work meeting of waterside workers would be held to-morrow morning to discuss the situation.

No other official statement was avail able, but it was stated thefre was e good prospect of a settlement of the trouble.