WATERSIDE WORKERS.

Taranaki Daily News, 12 February 1917, Page 4

WATERSIDE WORKERS.

MR. lIERDMAN INTERVIEWED. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, February 10. Interviewed regarding the regulations giving power to the Government to take over control of wharves in the event of industrial disturbance, Mr,. Hcnlman sstid that if Britain and her Allies are to be vietoriouß troops must be sent to the front regularly and expeditiously, and the people of England provided* with food. When the mercantile marine is being ruthlessly wrecked' by the enemy, ships cannot be allowed to remain idle at our wharves. Such a state of affair* would be intolerable. The position was much too serious to allow any troublesome section of tiie community to dominate the situation and decide for New Zealand whether she shall or shall not be allowed to do her share of war work. Responsibility for the .present discreditable position might be placed upon the shoulders of a few mistaken' loaders, lie exonerated the great bulk of the men from blame. lie also pointed out that a heavy penalty was imposablei on any person who conspires to prevent, delay or otherwise interfere with the proper loading, unloading or despatch of any vessel. The maximum penalty was a line of £3OO, or twelve months' imprisonment.

POSITION AT WELLINGTON. Wellington, February 14>. The. position in the waterside difficulty is practically unchanged. The only new gang of men engaged was for tha ferry steamer Mararoa. STEAMER BOYCOTTED 'AT GIQBORNE.

Gisborne, February 10. The watorsiders declined to work thei iargo of the steamer Ripple, which was loaded with free labor at Napier, and the vessel this afternoon proceeded tq Wellington without discharging.