WHARF STRIKE.

Taranaki Daily News, 5 October 1920, Page 5

WHARF STRIKE.

MAY BE OVER TO-DAY* MORS HOPEFUL POSITION. STATEMENT BY THE PREMIER. By Teleeraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. Tn the House of Representatives, replying to Dr. H. T. Thacker (Christrlitirch East;, Mr. Massey said he had been watching the position on the Wellington waterfront fur some time past, and lie was glad to be able to report that the position to-night 1 was much better than for some days; in fact, he believed the men would return to work to-morrow. ,

Whether that was correct or not, Mr. Massey could not say, but, at any rate, the position looked more hopeful. He knew all about tho difficulties of householders and others, and he could •'sure the House that nothing wnuld lie left undone to keep the x industries of the country running. It. was intended to keep the railways running to the last shovel. Only one industry came before the railways, and that was the freezing industry, upon which depended the safety of large quantities of meat for which the Imperial Government bad paid and which they were bound to protect to the utmost of their ability.

Dr. Thacker: Rut coal is in ships in tho harbor. Mr. W. E. Parry (Auckland Central): Who is responsible for the trouble? Mr. Massey: We had better not discuss that at the present moment, but the Government is quite prepared to face the position. NO DECISION ANNOUNCED. THE MEN TO MEET TO-DAY. Wellington, Oct. 4. There is no change in the position on the waterfront. It was hoped this morning that a compromise would be effected this 'afternoon, but it was found that a settlement could not be arranged, and the matter was deferred until a general meeting of the Waterside Workers' Union to-morrow morning.