“GO-SLOW” ON WHARVES.

Taranaki Daily News, 8 February 1921, Page 4

“GO-SLOW” ON WHARVES.

AUCKLAND ACTION CRITICISED. NOT TO BE FOLLOWED HERE. When asked for an opinion on the telegram from Auckland relative to the cessation of overtime work at the northern port on certain days of the week, an official of the New Plymouth branch of the Watersiders’ Federation expressed doubt as to its authenticity. He told a Daily News reporter that no communication relative to the subject had yet been received from the federation headquarters, but in his opinion it was extremely unlikely that such a course would be adopted at this port. Apart fact.that the telegraphed decision of the Auckland watersiders to cease overtime work would constitute a direct breach of the agreement to carry on work uninterruptedly, he doubted if the men concerned would be prepared. to stand the serious loss of wages entailed. As far as the port of New Plymouth was concerned, the official was confident that the watersiders would not follow the lead of Auckland, as the seriousness of the loss of wages that would result and the effect of such a course upon the present congested state of shipping here, were fully recognised. The motives of the Auckland union in deciding on the cessation of overtime work seem not to he clearly understood, hut are generally accepted as being a protest against the employers’ offer of Id per hour bonus when the watersiders demanded a higher rate. POSITION AT AUCKLAND SEVERAL SHIPS DELAYED. By Telegraph Press Association. Auckland, Last Night. As a result of the watersiders’ decision not to work after five o’clock the departures of the Opawa, Ruahine, and Te Anau for coastal ports have been delayed. No work was done to-day on the Otarama. which arrived from Liverpool yesterday, as no men responded to the call for labor. Apparently there is not a shortage of labor, but no reason was given. Discussing the position, a prominent member of the union said that while the decision not to work lafter fivi'* was constitutional, it was in effect the Introduction of the go-slow policy.