DISMISSAL OF WEN.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 78, 2 April 1927, Page 14

DISMISSAL OF WEN.

GOVERNMENT SAWMILLS.

EXPLANATION BY MR COATES

'■GRADUAL REDUCTION OF STAFF."

CBy Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.)

KAETIHI, April 1

In reply to a telegram sent to the Prime Minister in reference to the proposed dismissal of 25 workers at the logging camps at Eura and Pokaka, the following;..telegram has been received by Mr., H. G. R. Mason, M.P.:—"Your telegram with regard to dismissal of timber workers in the King Country has been received. Owing to reorganisation it has been necessary to modify our operations at our mills. Frankton Junction sawmill has ample capacity for the Department's needs.' "Work at Pokaka suspended temporarily in order, to concentrate on Erua which will be cleaned up in a few months. If Erua and Pokaka kept in full strength Mamaku bush operations would have to be suspended temporarily.. This would not ease the situation in so ; far as unemployment is concerned. The. present arrangements are consistent with the Department's requirements to retain the maximum number of men. It is not the Department's policy to abandon Pokaka bush. Instructions have been given that married men are to be retained wherever possible. Will make inquiries into statement that newcomers are being retained. The present arrangement means that threefourts of the log supply comes from the King County and only one fourth from Mamaku. This will continue until Erua bush is logged out. Owing to early logging out at Erua dismissals are inevitable in any rase, but present arrangements are bes't in the . circumstances. If Department operated in King Country and Mamaku to full .capacity it would seriously allect other timber industries causing unemployment, besides accumulating unduly heavy timber stocks and consequent deterioration and forced sales resulting in heavy loss to the State. The matter has been very thoroughly investigated and arrangements made to bring about a more gradual reduction of staff in .the best interests of the workers themselves..— J. fi. Coates."

In reply to this Mr. Mason has sent the following:— "Your telegram received states that present;, arrangement is consistent with Department's requirements to retain maximum number of men. The work at Pokaka is largely tramway and development work, and the dismissed men are largely employed on such work. Such work does not appear to be so immediately subject to economic circumstances,' and I urge , that there be no cessation of; that sort of work."

A deputation is leaving here to-day to interview the Prime Minister so as to lay .before him certain suggestions in the enedavour to keep the men under notice in employment.