EMPLOYEES ENTERTAINED

Evening Post, Volume C, Issue 38, 13 August 1920, Page 11

EMPLOYEES ENTERTAINED

The Fletcher Construction Company last night entertained its employees in Wellington at a dinner, which took place at the Dominion Farmers' Institute. Mr. James Fletcher, managing director, presided. The attendance numbered over one hundred.

The- toast of Iho " Fletcher Construction Company " was proposed by Mr. E. R. Woods, who has been connected with tho firm for the past three years. Referring to that evening's gathering, he expressed pleasure at being associated with a firm that had started a movement which had a tendency to bring both sidestogether. " Now, I hope we are going to accomplish things," said the speaker. "Both sides must come together, andsuch a gathering as this will, I think, have the desired effect. My advice to the firm is ' keep going, and you are bound to accomplish something.' " The need for a full understanding between employers and employees was the point stressed by 'Mr; Andrew Fletcher in reply. He stated that he appreciated tho remarks made by Mr. Woods, and he assured those, present that the Fletcher Construction Company was. always prepared to consider- suggestions for the betterment of the conditions of the men employed. "We are not sticklers for precedent," he concluded, "and we don't want old-fashioned ideas. We do .want to keep inclose touch with our men'all t-hoi time. We want you to have confidence* in us." • (Applause.)

In proposing the toast of " Allied Trades," Mr. James Fletcher stated that the) firm started in Dunedin twelve-years ago, the first contract being "for a fiveroomed, house at a cost of £350. Mr. Fletcher stressed the firm's endeavour to secure happy relations with its employee's, adding that there had never been a strike in tho firm's history.

Mr. F. Singleton, secretary of the Amalgamated Society of Carpenters and Joiners, replied. Other toasts proposed were: "The. Ladies," ' "The Press," and "The Visitors." During the evening a very enjoyable programme of musical items was contributed.