NEW PROCEDURE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 22 July 1939, Page 4

NEW PROCEDURE

AUCKLAND FERTILISER STRIKE CONSTITUTION OF DISPUTES COMMITTEE. ATTEMPT TO RECONCILE DIFFERENCES. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) AUCKLAND, July 21. After cancellation of the Otahuhu Chemical Workers' Union under the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act, by legislation put through Parliament this week, the employers' and workers’ interests held a conference this afternoon under the Labour Disputes Investigation Act. It was convened under the procedure outlined in ihe Act by Mr Price, conciliation commissioner, and, after discussion, no agreement was reached on the matters in dispute, which caused the strike continuing at the chemical manure works at Otahuhu, Westfield and Te Papapa.'

The conference agreed, however, to set up a Labour Disputes Committee under the provisions of the Act, Mr Price subsequently announcing that under the legislation the Minister of Labour, Mr Webb, would appoint a chairman.

On the appointment of the chairman, the parties are prepared that the committee should meet tomorrow or on Sunday in order to deal with this dispute, it being felt that no time should be lost in endeavouring to reconcile the differences that exist.

WAGONS HELD UP

RAILWAYS DEPARTMENT SEEKS RELEASE.

(By Telegraph—Press Association.) AUCKLAND. July 21

The release of a large number of railways wagons, at present loaded with rock phosphate, the discharge of which has been delayed because of the strike at the fertiliser works at Otahuhu, Te Papapa and Westfield, is being sought by the Railways Department.

Loaded wagons arc to be seen on every siding between Auckland and Westfield. Between 5000 and 6000 tons of rock phosphate contained in 1000 wagons is lying idle. The General Manager of the department, Mr G. H. Mackley, is reported to have approached companies and other interested parties, pointing out that the wagons have already been lying idle for some time, and suggesting that they should be released. The unloading of the wagons is presenting a problem. Free labour, it is stated, would have to be use,d to unload them, and, if this step were taken, it might result in repercussions .in other industries.