WORK ON MONDAY

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 60, Issue 200, 1 June 1940, Page 2

WORK ON MONDAY

THE CANCELLED HOLIDAY. decision by the miners. (Per Press Association). WELLINGTON, May 31. Appreciation of the coal-miners’ decision to work on Monday was expressed by the Minister for Labour (the Hon. P. C. Webb) He explained that the miners’ action was determined several days before the Government issued its proclamation postponing the holiday

DECISION REVERSED. OFFICIAL’S VISIT TO AUCKLAND. AUCKLAND, May 31. A decision made the previous day to observe Monday as a holiday was reversed by the employees of the Westfield Freezing Company at a lunchhour meeting, which was attended by more than 700 men. The meeting was addressed by Mr C. L. Hunter, liaison officer of the Labour Department, who arrived in Auckland to explain to the various unions the Government’s wishes about the King’s Birthday holiday. “The workers at Westfield adopted a very reasonable attitude over the matter,” said Mr Hunter. “They agreed by a very substantial majority to work on Monday once they understood 'the correct position. Their previous attitude was clearly the result of misunderstanding.” Mr Hunter also addressed meetings of workers at the works at Penrose of the New Zealand Glass Manufacturers’ Company, and of James Hardie and Company, asbestos manufacturers, and also at the Challenge Phosphate works at Otahuhu. At each meeting the workers agreed to observe Monday as a working day. He also made contact with representatives of workers at the Southdown Freezing Works and at Kempthbrne, Prosser and Company’s .works at Westfield. At these works also the men agreed to work on Monday.

Employees at the Auckland Farmers’ Freezing Company’s works at Horotiu decided to observe the King’s Birthday holiday on Monday, their view being that the day was best for the observance of the event. They also agreed to impose a levy of Is a week on themselves, the proceeds to be given to the funds of the Young Men’s Christian Association and the Salvation Army for comforts for soldiers.

The decision at Horotiu to observe the holiday on Monday was made before Mr Hunter had .communicated with union /officials at Horotiu. He subsequently arranged to address the men on the subject at a meeting to-morrow.

HAWKE’S BAY FREEZERS. i ' / “WORKING AS- USUAL.” - HASTINGS, May 31. The men will he working as usual on Monday, stated a representative of one of the freezing works this morning, when questioned about the action being taken about the cancellation of the King’s Birthday holiday at the Whakatu and Tomoana works.

The position is that at Whakaitu the normal season closes to-day, though several hundred men will continue to he employed at the works. At Tomoana between 450 and 500 men are being employed.

It is not known whether the men have ■ discussed in any official manner the decision of the Government to cancel the holiday, hut an intimation has been given to the management of tlie works that the men will be working as usual' on Monday. Employees -of the two freezing works' are contributing 10 per cent, of their wages for the week ending June 1 to the fund for the Sick and Wounded. The donation is estimated at £550. The proprietors of the works are giving £350 each to the fund, making a total donation of £1250.