AUCKLAND DRIVERS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 29 June 1939, Page 7

AUCKLAND DRIVERS

RESOLUTIONS AT STOPWORK MEETING. CRITICISM OF EMPLOYERS. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) AUCKLAND. June 28. General dissatisfaction with the tactics stated to have been employed by the Auckland Employers’ Association was unanimously expressed by Auckland drivers at a meeting of members of the Auckland Drivers’ Union, in the Town Hall. A stop-work meeting was called to discuss the position that had arisen in consequence of failure to reach agreement in disputes with certain employers. About 2000 members attended the meeting, which was called for 8 o'clock and which finished shortly before noon. In a statement issued after the meeting, the secretary of the Auckland Drivers’ Union, Mr L. G. Matthews, said that general dissatisfaction was expressed by the whole meeting with the tactics employed by the Auckland Employers' Association in using delay in the Court of Arbitration as a means of prolonging the putting into operation of a previous order made by the Court late last year, as well as the subsequent decision of the industrial magistrate, Mr J. A. Gilmour. It was felt by the meeting that the question of appeal was instituted purely as a means of procrastination and delaying putting into effect the 40-hour week. In no uncertain manner the meeting voiced disapproval of those tactics. The following resolution was carried unanimously: “That failing decision being made within seven days that the respective orders made by the Court of Arbitration and the industrial magistrate be given effect to, a further stop-work meeting will be called for the purpose of deciding appropriate action for the enforcement of the said orders, and, further, that all affiliations to the Drivers’ Federation be informed of our action, and advised to reciprocate." Mr Matthews stated that a meeting of the National Disputes Committee was being arranged immediately to discuss clauses in the award held by the union to be unworkable. Another resolution passed by the meeting read:—“That this mass meeting of drivers wholeheartedly supports the Government in its progressive and] humane legislation on behalf 'of the useful people of New Zealand, and pledges its complete and unanimous support to bring to a successful conclusion its entire policy, and further wishes to congratulate the Government .oil its proposal to institute a fortnight's annual holiday for all wot-i kers.” ’