COERCION FUTILE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22986, 15 September 1936, Page 10

COERCION FUTILE

MINISTER AND DOCK WORKERS FORTY-HOUR WEEK PROMISED SETTLEMENT OF THE DISPUTE (Per United Press Association) AUCKLAND, Sept. 14. Work by the civilian employees at the Calliope dock at Devonport will continue on Saturday mornings until such time as the Government is able to introduc- the 40-hour week principle. This was unanimously agreed to at a meeting today when the Government’s case was explained to the men by Mr P. Fraser, Deputy Leader of the Government. Mr Fraser said the Government viewed with the greatest concern the fact that the nen L~J absented themselves from work on two successive Saturdays. It had been understood after the first occasion that the matter hac been adjusted amicably, so that a repetition of the trouble came as a great surprise,' The men’s action appeared to be hostile to the Government and its policy, and coercive in its intention, Mr Fraser said. The Government, however, was aware that this was not, in fact, the intention of the men. “ The Government will not be coerced by any individual or organisation. and the sooner this is understood the better it will be for all concerned,” he added. Authority had been given to him to take definite and decisive steps to prevent a repetition of the trouble, which, if persisted in, was calculated to undermine the Government’s authority, added the Minister. His instructions covered a wide range of possibilities, some of which would have been regrettable if unavoidable. He had l earned on his arrival in Auckland, however, that the trouble was mainly due to a misunderstanding. The manager of the naval base, it seemed, hsid been unable to give a complete and definite reply to the men. The Government intended to apply the 40-hour week at the dock as soon as the necessary adjustments had been made, the Minister continued. Meanwhile, he asked the men to accept the present hours and work on Saturday mornings. Mr W. B. Cameron, president of the Engineers’ Union and an employee at the dock, moved that the men express complete confidence in the Government and pledge .themselves to co-operate (Vith it in the manner suggested by resuming work under the existing conditions until the Government was able to introduce the 40-hour week.