THE PREMIER INTERVENES.

Auckland Star, Volume LI, Issue 215, 8 September 1920, Page 5

THE PREMIER INTERVENES.

, I tX SUGAR WORKERS' DISPUTE. REPRESENTATIONS TO COMPANY. FOR REINSTATEMENT OF MEN. While the parties in the sugarworkers' dispute rest contented with their recent deliberations in the matter the deadlock continues, and although there are no immediate prospects of a settlement, a third iniiuence is at work in the direc-, tion of settlino- the points of difference. This takes the form of representations by the Prime Minister, flic Rt. Hon. W. F. Massey, to the head oflice of the Sugar Company to reinstate the men.; The communication, a copy of which lias been received by the secretary of the union, is a lengthy document. In leading up to the request it sets out the shortage in regard to sugar supplies, and consequently the necessity for a resumption of operations with a view to requirements. This step on the part ot the Premier is said to be the result of a complaint lodged by the union with the Premier to the effect that, despite sev-: eral attempts to return to work, the men were unsuccessful, the cause in each case being attributed to the attitude of the ■ company. I In the meantime quite a number of the men have taken up other occupations, with the result that when opera-j tions are resumed it will be quite within the bounds of possibilities that the output will be less than that of the period prior to the strike. A further explanation made on behalf of the company refuting the allegation of victimisation on its part i 3 to the effect that the manager very carefully explained to one of the union's representatives at the conference on Monday — not the secretary—that there was one man who had been many years in the service who would probably not come back to his work because by going out on strike for more than a week he, in common with the other employees who had gone out. had ceased to be a member of the provident fund and also an employee erf the company. The manager was then asked: "Why will he not be taken back?" and 4. Tie manager's reply' was, "Because be is over 50 years of age and is eligible for a pension. He will get a pension instead of having his provident fund subscriptions handed tack to him as will be done to all the other men under the rules of the provident fund."' The manager further stated to the representatives of the union that he used the word "probably' , because when work was resumed he intended to bring up this man's case for the special consideration of the trustees of the provident fund, with a view to allowing him to return into the fund. The representatives of the union clinp to the allegation tha-t it is a case of victimisation, and state further that, whereas the alleged policy of the com- , pany is not to continue to employ men . after their fiftieth year, it is not adhered ' to. In support they claim that there are ' several employees whose ages are in 1 excess of the 'half-century; further, thai 'by discharging \hv man in questiov at this sta<re lie will go out with t pension about 100 per cent, less than h< would otherwise receive were he allowec s to remain on for several years more.