UNION CRITICISED

Taranaki Daily News, 13 September 1940, Page 8

UNION CRITICISED

By Telegraph—Press Association.

WATERSIDE WORKERS REPLY BY CONTROLLER

Wellington, Last Night. A statement on a motion moved by Mr. T. N. Warren and carried at a stop-work meeting of members of the Wellington branch of the New Zealand Waterside Workers' Union yesterday was made by the chairman of the Waterfront Control Cqmmission, Mr. R. E. Price, to-night. The resolution entered an emphatic protest against the imposition of the "so-called co-operative contract system, which deprives a large number of members who assist in the . work from participating in the benefits." It stated that as a party to the contract, with no knowledge of the contents, the union felt that continuance under the present conditions would ultimately undermine and destroy the humane and beneficial working conditions obtained by the sacrifice of paut members. Inconsistency Demonstrated. "The full text of the resolution moved by Mr. Warren was placed before me today," Mr. Price said, "and I note it expresses complaint because the contract system is operating, while at the same time complaining because it does not apply to all waterside workers. Surely this is inconsistency of the highest order. "The resolution goes on to complain that nothing is known of the terms of the contract and the mover, Mr. Warren, emphasises this in speaking to the motion yet concludes by by foretelling the ultimate effect of a contract he claims to know nothing about." "Apparently mental acrobatics are not enough for Mr. Warren for he has coupled with them disregard for fact. In his answer to my reply he admits the terms of contract were fully discussed at the stop-work meeting at which the resolution was passed. "A person so careless of accuracy and unbalanced of judgment deserves no further consideration, but for his own good he should accept advice and not again attempt to impart it," Mr. Price concluded. Negotiating Separate Contract. In a statement made earlier Mr. Price stated that the Waterfront Control Commission had been negotiating a separate contract with the Wellington Harbour Board to cover those men employed by them on the, wharf to work with men on the ships. Difficulties which delayed the completion of this contrat had been overcome, and it was expected the contract would be completed before the end of the month. Regarding the union complaint about their lack of knowledge of the contract, a complete copy was posted to the union executive last week, in time for the stop-work meeting at which the protest was made to-day, he added.