Haurongo: Holland, Sidney George

Hear Prime Minister Sidney Holland announcing the imposition of emergency regulations during the 1951 waterfront dispute, on 1 May 1951. He outlines the government's position, and talks of the need for sterner measures in the face of 'terrorism' from the workers' side. (7 min 8 sec)

Transcript

Good evening, everyone.

I have not previously approached the task of making a broadcast to the people of New Zealand with a greater sense of responsibility or with a deeper sense of public duty than I do at this very moment.

When I took the oath of my office I swore on my honour that I should do my duty to my country and to the people who put me where I am. Tonight, I honour my pledge to my King and my country and difficult though the task may be, I feel that my colleagues and I have the backing and good will of the people to whom I address myself.

The industrial crisis in which New Zealand has been gripped for more than 10 weeks has taken a dramatic and grave turn and a very determined effort has been made to overthrow orderly government by force. Some 10 weeks ago a small group of men possessing great power in our industrial system, declared war on the people by calling a strike in one of our principal key industries. And ever since going on strike, they have employed every means in their power to spread the trouble so as to ensure that the trade of our country will be paralysed, believing they could force the government to surrender.

For those 10 weeks, your government has explored every possible avenue of settling the trouble. Some people may think we have been too tolerant and too patient. Maybe they are right. But the fact remains that our methods have produced most encouraging results and we have been very successful in the formation of new unions and in the resumption of work. Some 32 new unions have already been formed by the workers cutting themselves free from the domination of the real troublemakers and by forming new unions of their own.

Late last week, a large number of applications for work on the wharves were made in Auckland. And it appeared likely that once union labour started work in Auckland, the end of the strike would be in sight. But then, suddenly, a new and desperate situation developed, and in their desperation, these people who are responsible for all this trouble, changed their tactics.

In order to stop urgently needed coal from reaching the people's fireplaces, a determined and dastardly attempt was made to blow up a railway bridge near Huntly. And it was miraculous that the attempt was not accompanied by serious loss of life of men, mind you who were engaged in peaceful productive work. Whoever dreams that such a thing would come to pass in this country of ours?

The next step these desperate men decided upon was to beat up and bash into unconsciousness a working man who had the courage to say, ‘I'm fed up with all this nonsense and I'm going back to the wharves to do some honest work and to earn some honest money for my family.’  In the dead of night, that innocent man was attacked violently at his home, in the presence of his wife and children. Tonight, he lies maimed in an Auckland hospital.

This morning here in Wellington, attempts to intimidate workers where made and these followed similar demonstrations and intimidation in Auckland last Saturday and again yesterday. There is more I could say, but I think I have said enough to impress on all the seriousness of the situation.

As a government, we have exercised patience beyond what most people expected of us. But in my view, it has been better to be patient than impetuous. We have been winning a grim struggle against people who have no thought of the rights and welfare of other people, against people who will stoop to any depth to achieve their ends. Even crime.

Until now, I am certain our tactics have been right. But I am equally certain they are entirely inadequate to meet the new terrorism that has arisen and accordingly, I called a special meeting of Cabinet this morning to receive reports from various centres and to determine what is best to do in order to meet this serious challenge to our New Zealand way of life.

The maintenance of law and order in normal times is a matter for the police force, which is limited in its numbers and in times of emergency such as this, we cannot leave everything to them. Other plans, which we know the wreckers do have in mind, will require widespread action.

Our citizens must be protected from violence and intimidation. Law and order must be preserved. Cabinet therefore has decided to establish a civil emergency organisation of loyal citizens which will stand with the government in carrying out any part the emergency may require in protecting life and the property.