BUSHMEN'S CASE

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 270, 13 November 1943, Page 6

BUSHMEN'S CASE

FOR MORE BUTTER ECHOES OF STRIKE THREAT "Threats of strikes are not necessary while reasonable methods may be tried," said Mr. F, Craig, of Auckland, national secretary of the Timber Workers' Union this morning in commenting on a report that the West Coast sawmill workers at thenannual meeting at Greymouth iiact threatened to strike if their butter allowance was not increased. In a statement in Wellington last night, the Minister of Supply,. Mr. Sullivan, said that before the meeting at Greymouth representations in the normal way had been received on behalf of the timber workers from Mr. F. Craig, and, along with representations from the Federation of Labour on behalf of other groups of workers in heavy industries, the timber workers' case was being considered by the Government. The investigations were not yet complete, but when they were the Government would make its decision in respect of all representations received solely on the merits of the respective cases and on no other basis. Workers' War Effort "The Government has no intention of allowing its consideration of the matter, or its judgment, to be diverted in any way by threats or inflammatory language such as that used by the secretary of., the West Coast Union, Mr. F. L. Turley, in his communications to the Government and the Press." the Minister added. He paid a tribute to the splendid effort of the timber workers throughout the war, especially the forestry companies which went to Britain. Mr. Craig added that the Minister's statement in regard to the representations by the Timber Workers' Union head office was correct. Mr. Turley did not communicate with head office in the matter, but Mr. Craig had communications from Mr. W. Seator, national president, and Mr. Humphreys, secretary to the Wellington branch, on the subject. The timber workers, along with other heavy industry workers, he said, asked that consideration be given to the question of allowing extra butter to those workers whose occupation precluded them from having access to other necessary substitutes to provide a balanced food ration in place of the butter previously consumed.

Mr. F. Craig

Workers at many bush mills or employed on bush logging operations were unable to obtain a supply of green vegetables, fresh meat or 'dripping. These workers asked for special consideration, and Mr. Craig said he felt sure that the Government would grant it to them after making an investigation into the circumstances.

Sonic Sacrifice Xeccssary

Timber workers realised that some sacrifice was necessary in regard to butter consumption in order that their British comrades could get a little more than the few ounces now allowed them. All that the national union asked was that the sacrifice should be made equally. Conversation with several members of the Forestry Corps, said Mr. Craig, confirmed the reports that the butter ration for the heavy industry workers in Britain was not sufficient. Mr. Craig expressed the opinion that the West Coast timber workers were not in possession of the full facts when their resolution was passed. They had proved their interest in the war effort by sacrificing their leisure in order 'that production for war purposes might go