POWER CUTS IN INDUSTRY

Press, Volume XCI, Issue 27615, 23 March 1955, Page 10

POWER CUTS IN INDUSTRY

SUGGESTED LOSS OF WAGES

TRADES COUNCIL REPLIES TO MANUFACTURER

Affiliated organisations would insist on the terms of their awards being carried out if and when power cuts were imposed, said a statement issued yesterday by the Canterbury district council of the Federation of Labour, replying to statements made by Mr R. H. Stewart at a meeting of. the Canterbury Manufacturers’ Association.

Mr Stewart was reported as saying that if factory workers were laid off because of power shortages the workers should not be paid wages for lost

“We have already announced our intention of discussing with the City Council s power committee power saving and methods intended to be used m imposing restrictions,” the statement. said. “One of our principal concerns is that restrictions should be equitably spread over all sections of the community. •/ We < a PP re ciate the necessity of Mr Stewart’s comment when he suggests loss of wages during industrial shut-down periods as an incentive to power sayings in workers’ homes. The community should take note of his words, which are a grim reminder that feudal thought still exists an our midst. The very idea of applying the economic lash to some in order that others may escape their sac Nflce is repugnant to enlightened people. “Mr Stewart has not suggested an incentive by which the Government might be induced to provide the power we are not getting—the power for which the Municipal Electricitv Department is obliged to pay and charge us at full rates.” ,