NO REPORT FROM UNION TALKS

Rotorua Morning Post, Issue 5302, 15 January 1947, Page 5

NO REPORT FROM UNION TALKS

' Press Assn.-

MAY BE THREE DAYS 40-HOUR WEEK POLICY CONTINUES

-Bv Telearavh — xjovvrioht.)

WELLINGTON, Last Night. The meeting of the National Council of the Waterside Workers' Union was held to-day aiid adjourned after a brief session. The National Executive was instructed to review aspects of the waterfront dispute and report to ihe council to-morrow morning. The President of the Union, Mr. H. Barnes, and the secretary, Mr. T. Hill, said there was nothing at this stage to report. Mean while the 40-hour week policy continues. v Reports are likely to be submitted soon as to the extent to which the union has been able to gain the sympathy of other sections of industrial labour and particularly as to where thc line has to be drawn between. support for the merits of the watersiders' four-point demands and support for their use of direct action to n force these demands. A lcng and thorough discussion of all aspects of the dispute is pending. It may be two or three days before the conference agrees on the line of uture policy to be recommended to the rarik and file of the union. Minister Bitterly Denounces Union Leaders WELLINGTON, Last Night. The pamphlet attack on the wharves issued by the Waterside Workers' Union in support of their claims has drawn a vigorous reply from the Minister of Labour, Mr. McLagan. "A more unfounded attack on the T abour Government had never been made been made by any union claiming to be supporters of labour," he -•; id. "The dispute is not against the employers as the union claims. It is Tgainst the Waterfront ' Industry Commig§ion which was established by Ihe Government at the request of both workers and employers. "The waterside leaders pledged themselves to eo-operate in making the commission a suecess, but they have not honoured the pledge. After the Commission's decision was made 'hey immediately rebuffed it. "Notwithstanding .this, the Government is still anxious to bring about a uist and amicable settlement, and the dcor is still open for the watersiders any time they are willing to discuss 'he dispute." s Mr. McLagan goes on to say tha£ before the dispute developed the National Executive of the Waterside Union issued a document directing fhe union branches to enter thd conflict without first consulting the rank and file of the union. Apparently he National Council of the union was not consulted before the fateful action was taken. "According to the authors of the pamphlet, they do not wish to #plit the Lahour movement, but if the present attack on the Government receives sufficient support from other unions, then a large-scale split and disaster for the Labour movement is inevitable," concludes Mr. McLagan. Railwaymen Give Unionists Cool Reception AUCKLAND, last night. When Mr. A. Drennan, national vice-president of the WateTside Workers' Union, and Mr. J. Mitchell, member of the National Council, addressed a meeting of about 1000 railway workers at Otahuhu on Monday, they were reminded by tbe audience of a time in January last year when the watersiders called a mass meeting in Auckland of striking railwaymen and asked the men to resume work and await the decision of the Government appointed tribunal. The speakers on that occasion were Messrs. H. Barnes national president, and Mr. T. Hill, national seeretary. The railway workers gaye Mr. Drennan and Mr. Mitchell a eourteous but cool hearing, and the only resolution passed was one thanking the speakers.