The Strike
The strike was a major political issue of the time. The National government, led by Sidney Holland and the Minister of Labour Bill Sullivan, introduced Emergency Regulations, and brought in the navy and army to work the wharves. Holland condemned the action as "industrial anarchy", and explicitly sought a mandate to deal with the strike in the 1951 elections. The government was re-elected with an increased majority. The opposition Labour Party, led by Walter Nash, attempted to take a moderate position in the dispute, with Nash saying that "we are not for the waterside workers, and we are not against them". Labour's neutral position merely ended up displeasing both sides, however, and Nash was widely accused of indecision and lack of courage.
The strike has been described as "a key element in the mythologies of the industrial left in this country ".
Read more about this topic: 1951 New Zealand Waterfront Dispute
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