WHARF CRISIS.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 February 1921, Page 5

WHARF CRISIS.

STOPPAGE AT WELLINGTON. ALL WORK SUSPENDED, DEADLOCK AT AUCKLAND. NO OVERTIME YESTERDAY. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. Without exception all the watersiders employed at Wellington to-day definitely declined to work overtime to-night. This is the first occasion on which the men have been unanimous on the point, and as a result of their ultimatum all work has been suspended on the waterfront to-night. Auckland, Last Night. The waterfront dispute reached a further stage to-day, when the employers notified the men that unless they were prepared to • work overtime no further gangs would be engaged to work ships due shortly and on ships w.hich had not already besn manned. All the jnen approached declined to work overtime to-night, and consequently no new engagements were made. The position now is that those men who are engaged in loading vessels will continue until they have completed the work they were employed to carry out. This should occupy them until Monday or Tuesday, after which there will be no more work unless the watersiders change their attitude. The president of. the New Zealand Waterside Workers’ Federation (Mr. L. Glover), .when to make a statement in reply to that made by Mr. Bennett, manager of the Wellington Waterside Employment Association, on Thursday, said he had no statement to make in regard to the dispute. The only thing he had to say was that he received a telegram from Mr. Bennett last Saturday, but seeing that Mr. Bennett had previously communicated with the Auckland Waterside Workers’ Union with regard to the dispute he did not called upon to acknowledge Mr. Bennett’s communication. He did not think the federation would take action until it was officially approached. . SOUTH ISLAND POSITION-. NORMAL WORK AT DUNEDIN. Dunedin. Feb. 18. Work is proceeding normally on the Dunedin waterfront. NO OVERTIME AT BLUFF. Invercargill, Feb. IS. No overtime was worked at Bluff last night. When Labor for the Kokiri was called there was no response, and the men engaged the Tarawera declined to continue after 5 o’clock. AT NEW PLYMOUTH. CHANGE IN MEN’S ATTITUDE. The position at the port of New Plymouth bore an improved aspect yesterday, the men deciding to work overtime on* the Flora’s cargo last night. The usual request for overtime labor was posted at the wharf and the men accepted without demur. The Flora, which has been delayed on account of the “go-slow” tactics employed, is expected to complete discharging and sail for the south at noon to-day.