CONTRACT SYSTEM ON WATERFRONT

Southland Times, Issue 24230, 13 September 1940, Page 6

CONTRACT SYSTEM ON WATERFRONT

MR .PRICE REPLIES TO WATERSIDERS’ MOTION (United Press Association)' WELLINGTON, September 12. A further statement on the motion moved by Mr T. N. Warren and carried at a stop-work meeting of members of the Wellington branch of the New Zealand Waterside Workers’ Union yesterday was made by the chairman of the Waterfront Control Commission (Mr R. E. Price) tonight. “The full text of the resolution moved by Mr Warren was placed before me today,” Mr Price said, “and I note it expresses a complaint because the contract system is operating, while at the same time complaining because it does not apply to all waterside workers. Surely this is inconsistency of the highest order. The resolution goes on to’ complain that nothing is known of the terms of the contract and the mover, Mr Warren, emphasizes this in speaking to the motion, yet concludes by foretelling the ultimate effect of the contract he claims he knows nothing about.

“Apparently mental acrobatics are not enough for Mr Warren, for he has coupled with them a disregard for fact. In his answer to my reply, he admits the terms of the contract were fully discussed at the stop-work meeting at which the resolution was passed. A person so careless of accuracy and unbalanced of judgment deserves no further consideration, but for his own good he should accept advice and not again attempt it,” Mr Price said.