WHARF CRISIS.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 February 1921, Page 5

WHARF CRISIS.

STOPPAGE AT WELLINGTON. WARNING OF A LC®K-OUT. MEN ACCEPT THE CHALLENGE. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. A climax was reached on the water - front to-day, where further reprisals were made by members of the Waterside Workers’ Union. The men employed on the vessels Durham, Karori, and Ngakutu were addressed this morning by Mr. Bennett (secretary of the Waterside Labor Employment Association). He pointed out that the local union had denied knowledge of concerted action, but the employers, on the other hand, were absolutely convinced that the men were acting on a concerted plan. He explained that unless the men resumed overtinie at five o’clock that evening no further engagements would be made till assurances were received that the irritation tactics would be discontinued. After ten minutes’ deliberation the men announced their decision not to work after five o’clock. MINISTER OF LABOR. REMAINS IN WELLINGTON. Wellington, Last Night. On account of the trouble which has arisen on the waterfront the- Minister of Labor has decided to temporarily abandon his southern trip, at least so far as Christchurch is concerned. WORKING AT DUNEDIN. NO HINT OF FUTURE ACTION. WELLINGTON HOLDS THE KEY. Dunedin, Last Night. Regarding the industrial trouble on the waterfront, the Dunedin watersiders maintain the greatest secrecy. They say that the position is unchanged and that they have received no information from Wellington as to any future action that may lie decided on. In the meantime the men on the waterfront here are working steadily, and are certainly not pursuing the “go-slow” policy. A meeting of the local executive, of the New Zealand Transport Workers’ Federation was held on Wednesday night, when Mr. J. Roberts (general secretary of the federation) was present. The business transacted did not give the slightest indications of what the watersiders intend to do, as can be gained by the fact that a question on the point subsequently put by a reporter to some of those present at the meeting brought an authoritative reply that the reporter knew just as much about the future action of the jvatersiders as they did. All the power, it would seem, rests in the hands of the chief executive in Wellington. Mr. Roberts left by the second express on his return to Wellington.

POSITION AT AUCKLAND. NO OVERTIME LAST NIGHT. Auckland, Last Night. No overtime was worked on the Auckland wharves to-night, as the men attended a meeting to hear Mr. Glover, of the Watersiders’ * Federation, optline the constitution of the New Zealand Alliance of TROUBLE AT MOTUROA. NO OVERTIME YESTERDAY. SHIPPING DELAYED. The refusal of the watersiders at the port of New Plymouth to work overtime on Wednesday was repeated yesterday, and though work at the port proceeded as usual till 5 o’clock, the watersiders adhered to their decision not to work overtime, and the Flora and the La Merced, the only vessels in port, were idle last night. A call for overtime, labor to work the Flora was made by the Union Company yesterday afternoon, but was met by a refusal, the men appearing to be more unanimously in favor of refusing than was tlie case on Wednesday. The failure to work overtime is causing a serious delay in the departure of the Flora, which will probably not be ready to sail till to-morrow morning. If the present system of work is persisted in there will probably be serious congestion at the port, as a large amount of shipping is in sight.