INDUSTRIAL UNREST.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 44, 16 February 1912, Page 8

INDUSTRIAL UNREST.

(Per Press Association.) . Auckland, February 15. There was more than ordinary interest in the proceedings at the Conciliation Court this morning when the waterside workers’ dispute came on. The union had taken a ballot and decided on cancellation of registration under the Arbitration Act, but before this could take effect a number of shipping companies filed a dispute. The union declined to appoint assessors and the Conciliation Commissioner appointed three of their number in that capacity. Courtayne, on? of the union’s assessors, who was present, said they wore into a unique position. They were called scabs and trators by other members of the union but they bad to obey the law. He banded in a resolution passed by the union repudiating tbs persons appointed by the Conciliation Commissioner to represent the union and threatening to call upon any of them signing any agreement to resign their membership. Mr Giles, the Commissioner, said they had done only what they had been legally called upon to do. He was very pleased they had done so. The representative of ono of the companies asked would the union assessors say they wore prepared to discuss the dispute in a fair and impartial manner. The assessors, after consultation, replied that they were'in favour of amicably discussing matters, though their position was a very undesirable . one. “Personally,” said Courtayne, “1 will do my utmost in the interests of the union.” The N.Z. Shipping Company applied for exemption on the grounds that it only employed contract labour, and the Union Company and Huddart-Parker on the grounds that they were parties to an agreement entered into after the dispute had boon filed. The Commissioner announced that the Court would stand adjourned sine die. In the moantime the Commission went into committee to discuss the terms of the award.