PRIME MINISTER IN FACTORIES

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24866, 4 May 1946, Page 8

PRIME MINISTER IN FACTORIES

MR FRASER TRIES HIS HAND BUSY DAY IN CITY “Come and do a bit of work,” was the smiling invitation given to the Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. P. Fraser) by men washing tins when he visited the factory of Aulsebrook and Company. Ltd., in Christchurch yesterday. Mr Fraser accepted, but was not able to spend long on the job, because he had a big programme of factory visits ahead of him. .

Mr Fraser triefi his hand at a handkerchief pressing machine in the Lichfield Shirts, Ltd. factory and at a small bookbinders’ press in the works of Whitcombe and Tombs. Ltd. Later he visited the Marathon and associated rubber factories, and the Montreal street factory of Lane, Walker. Rudkin, Ltd.

At the rubber factories. Mr Fraser was surprised to find Mr Jack Colville, temporarily in charge of the reclaiming plant, still, at work although a little, earlier in the day he had lost a piece off the top of a finger of his right hand in an emery wheel. Mr Fraser thought he should x have gone home, but Mr Colville said he thought he should remain on the job, and did so. with Mr Fraser’s sympathy. Although it was not possible at all the factories for Mr Fraser to speak to the workers in a body, he had many conversations with individuals as he went round. He showed a close interest in operations. Afterwards he commented on the good lay-out and convenience of the factories and the good spirit among the staffs. Before dinner. Mr Fraser was able to spare a little time for a visit to the Union Jack Club, where he* chatted with men from H.M.S. Black Prince.

Mr Fraser then received a private deputation, and after dinner visited Canterbury University College to see the overcrowding of lecture rooms. He attended a meeting of the Canterbury Labour Representation Committee in the evening. Mr Fraser will return to Wellington this morning, and early next week will go to Auckland, where he will visit factories and fulfil a number of en-