DISMISSAL OF CARPENTERS

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28805, 28 January 1959, Page 9

DISMISSAL OF CARPENTERS

Conference This Morning The compulsory conference between the Williamson Construction Company and the Canterbury branch of the New Zealand Carpenters* and Joiners’ Union—called for this morning—may be adjourned. Mr W. Williamson, the firm’s managing-director, left for Bangkok on Friday, while negotiations were in progress, and it is understood none of his directors will be willing to enter into any commitments until his return. The company received a cable from him yesterday, and it is likely that he will return within a few days. The firm’s representatives at this morning’s conference will probably, therefore, ask for an adjournment. Little information could be obtained yesterday from the company. The reply of Mr Peter Williamson, a director and spokesman for the firm, to most questions put to him, was: “Mr W. Williamson is in Bangkok.’* He would give no indication of the company’s attitude towards the dispute—which arose two weeks ago when two carpenters were dismissed on the Ballantyne’s contract—and would say only that “Nobody here knows anything. Mr Williamson is in Bangkok.” Asked if there was anyone in authority who could speak in the managing-director’s stead, Mr Peter Williamson replied: “Mr Williamson is in Bangkok, and we can do nothing until he returns.” The Conciliation Commissioner (Mr S. W. Armstrong), who yesterday announced the calling of a compulsory conference, under the Industrial Relations Act, said he expected representatives of both parties to attend. Although the dispute is primarily between the contractors and the carpenters’ union, about six or seven other unions could become involved, and a Federation of Labour representative is likely to be included in the union representation at this morning’s conference. The numbers of men on the job have varied during the contract, but between 20 and 30 are understood to be engaged at present —probably about 10 of them being carpenters.