HUTT FLY-OVER Strike If Japanese Labour Is Used

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30937, 18 December 1965, Page 24

HUTT FLY-OVER Strike If Japanese Labour Is Used

WELLINGTON, Dec. 16. AH building work could stop if the Government imported vnad flv-over construction* the secretary of the T ahmtrera* Federation (Mr P. M. Butler) said today.

A Japanese contractor tendering for the fly-over work has asked to import J*P* n *J® workers and bouse them on a ship in Wellington harbour. The president of the Federation of labour *• E. Skinner) Mid today that New Zealand unions would oppose the move unless nrst consulted. .. Major requirements would be that no other labour was available for the job, and the workers were paid New Zealand wages and worked under local conditions. New Zealand first was the union attitude, ho said. “If they bring J«P anes .® labour here we will bring: all building work to a bait, said Mr Butler. His union, which formed a labour force for almost all building projects of any site in New Zealand, operate with the federation of Labour, its affiliated unions, and other unions not

affiliated, to halt all construction work if Japanese were Imported, he Mid. “Many of our members worked on the Burma Road under the Japanese durinj the Second World War." said Mr Butler. “We will not stand and watch Japanese come here and undercut our conditions now.’’