Native Ship-Workers Squabble In Cook

Islands

While Labour Politicians Slangwhang Each Other In New Zealand

r rHERE have been extraordinary events in the Cook Islands, where A native watersiders succeeded in dislocating shipping services, and where there has been scuffling and minor fighting between industrial factions. Events partook somewhat of the character of comic opera.

Although the parties concerned deny it, it is clear that Commu nist influences are at the back of the disturbances.

Cook Islands squabbling had sharp repercussions in New Zealand, where extremist waterside union officials directed a savage publicity campaign against the Socialist Government.

Prom Our Own Correspondent

Rarotonga, Dec. 15.

THE increasing conflict between the Cook Islands Progressive Associa tion and the Cook Islands Workers’

Union (affiliated with the New Zealand Federation of Labour) reached a climax with the December visit of the “Maui Pomare.”

Shipping troubles in the group actually began a few days prior to the arrival of the ship.

The CIPA has gained control of car go-handling throughout the Lower and Northern grouns, as well as at Rarotonga.

When the schooner owned by A. B.

Donald & Co. reached the Northern atolls. Manihiki and Rakahanga, near the end of November, to pick up copra, the captain ran into trouble. Among other things, the lighter-men refused to work unless the company was prepared to agree to an increase in pay an in

crease in excess of the award rates pre vailing in Rarotonga.

The schooner was delayed a number of days at Manihiki while an exchange of radios took place between the company and the Administration.

Meanwhile, friction continued ashore, and led to scuffles.

Finally, the Euronesian clerk-in-charge, representing law and order in the ab sence of the Resident Agent, took a firm stand, arrested 14 of the ringleaders and ordered work to proceed. The work pro ceeded forthwith, and there were no further delays. The arrested men, after an hour, were released.

IN November, while Mr. Patrick (Sec retary of the NZ Islands Territories Department) was in Rarotonga at tending the inaugural session of the new Legislative Council, a meeting of

interested parties was held, at which it was agreed that, in future, waterside work in Rarotonga would be shared by members of the CIPA and the Workers’

Union. The manager of the Union SS Co. was to select the labour, and the list would be given to representatives of both parties for approval.

This arrangement was carried out the day before the arrival of the December “Maui Pomare.” The CIPA demanded the removal of two Union men from the list, and this was complied with, to avoid trouble. At this stage both parties agreed on the list, which was divided about equally between the two; and work was to have commenced with the arrival of the ship on the following morning (Tuesday, December 2).

The ship arrived, but work did not commence. The CIPA demanded the re moval of another Union man before they would consent to a start. This time, the Workers’ Union would not agree to the demand, and tempers began to rise.

The secretary of the NZ Federation of Labour was radioed for advice. His reply was very confusing; it directed that labour was to be engaged according to custom “previously prevailing.”

The CIPA claimed that this meant it was their affair, while the Workers’

Union believed it to refer to the custom prevailing in pre-CIPA days.

Another radio was sent asking for clarification of the first message.

The reply made it clear that selection of labour was to be in the hands of the manager of the Union SS Co., irrespec tive of party, but that selection should be confined to men who had done this work previously.

It was finally arranged that the worker in question be given other employment for the period by the Union SS Co., but not on the waterfront, and work on the ship commenced at 6 p.m., Wednesday evening. Here, the weather took a hand,

and operations had to be suspended at about 1 a.m.. the same night, on account of increasing wind and rough sea.

WORK was to have been resumed the following morning: but the CIPA again demanded the dismissal of a further five Union men. The Workers' Union strongly disputed this request, as they considered there was no real reason for it.

Later in the morning, representatives of both parties, together with the manager of the Union SS Co., discussed the situation in the Resident Commis sioners office, and it was agreed that the manager draw up a fresh list.

The new list was published later in the day, and consisted of numbers of both parties in about equal numbers. All had previously been waterside workers.

Work was to have re-commenced the following morning (Friday). In the morning, all the Union men were present, but not a single CIPA man answered the roll-call, although a large number of CIPA members were gathered around the

waterfront. It was obvious that they did not intend to co-operate.

As there were not enough men to work the ship the manager of the USS Co., asked the Workers’ Union representatives if they could find more men. There was no difficulty in finding sufficient volun teers to make up the required number.

These did not include any CIPA men.

' No attempt was made to check on whether all these men were Union mem bers, or regular waterside workers, as the main concern now was to get on with the unloading of the already long delayed ship.

WORK proceeded satisfactorily with Union men only until about mid day, when it was interrupted by two CIPA men going out in a canoe to deliver a written message to the ship’s crew. Among other things, the message complained that some non-union labour was being employed, and also a prisoner.

This was a peculiar appeal, on the face of it. because the CIPA themselves are not members of the Workers’ Union.

Representatives then were called aboard the vessel, and the dispute con tinued. Mr. A. Henry, and the Superin tendent of Police were called for ques tioning, regarding the alleged use of a prisoner. The claim could not be sub stantiated.

The ship’s crew now professed con cern as to their own position with their union, and the captain radioed to NZ for instructions.

Work continued until about 8.30 p.m.

A LIVELY scene developed during the evening, as a result of the arrest of the two men who had delivered the message to the ship.

The Superintendent of Police, his patience sorely tried by the events of the past few days, had arrested the two men on a charge of taking the canoe with out the owner’s knowledge and consent, according to information obtained from said owner. Later, the owner repudiated his former statement, and said that he had given his permission to use the canoe.

About 7.30 p.m., a large crowd of CIPA members marched to the Administration building, in a belligerent mood, to de mand the release of the two men. Many of the marchers had “cleared for action” by removing their shirts.

For some time the Superintendent of Police faced the crowd from the steps of the Administration building, to shouts of “Release the prisoners or we will break down the jail!” and similar re marks. Actually an order for the re lease of the men had already been given.

But the demonstrators thought they had forced the police officer’s hand; and as the released men came in sight along the road, there was an outburst of cheer ing and hand-clapping. The two men were immediately surrounded and shaken by the hand, after which they were marched off in triumph.

11TORK was not resumed the following TT morning (Saturday), as the ship’s crew now refused to co-operate, pending instructions from NZ, and the vessel left the anchorage, so that there could be no further disturbing contact between ship and shore.

On Sunday, representatives of the Workers’ Union were called to the office of the Union SS Co., where they were instructed by the manager to inform all registered Union Workers to be present at the wharf at 6 a.m., with their union cards.

It was reported that the ship’s crew had been instructed from NZ that they were not to interfere with the working of the vessel.

Work re-commenced on Monday, being performed by all-union labour, and there was no further interruption. There was a police guard on the wharf, and no un authorised person was permitted entrv.

Unfortunately, continued rough weather slowed operations somewhat, and the ship did not get away until Wednesday.

The manager said that the work had proceeded very satisfactorily and there had been a great reduction in the damage and pillage which have caused so much annoyance for a long time past.

Altogether, the “Maui Pomare” was kept at Rarotonga for nine days, as against the usual two to three days.

IT appears that the real root of the trouble was the CIPA’s objection to a number of former CIPA members who have taken tickets in the Workers’

Union. CIPA men would not work with these “traitors to the cause.” It is re ported that some of these men were threatened with violence if they took part in the work.

After leaving Rarotonga, the “Maui Pomare” was due at Aitutaki to pick up copra and mangoes and deliver hurri cane season staples. It was known in advance that there was more trouble brewing in Aitutaki, where there is a strong CIPA contingent. There is also a branch of the Workers’ Union in Aitutaki, with sufficient men to work the ship.

The secretary of the Workers’ Union travelled with the vessel, carrying a politely-worded note, requesting con sideration of a fifty-fifty working ar rangement. But it had been decided that if the CIPA could not agree, the union men would be instructed to quietly retire, for this occasion, to avoid trouble and possible further delay to the ship.

At the time of writing, it is not known exactly what did occur at Aitutaki, but it is certain that there was trouble, and , reported that an ultimatum worded by the NZ Prime Minister him self gave the people one hour to start work, or the ship would leave.

A-w e i. res Sf was that the vessel left Aitutaki without picking up or discharg ing anything there, except passengers and mail.

DEVELOPMENTS cannot be foreseen, but is seems certain that there will be repercussions. The CIPA are feeling very bitter over their first defeat, while the Workers’ I. , n are naturally elated with their victdiy.

We have also yet to see what reactions will occur in NZ. The Auckland water theClPA^ 8 s * lown strong sympathy with situation arises, now that the CIPA has been superseded on the waterfront through their own un willingness to co-operate by a workers’ of 11 Labour iated With th 6 NZ Federation