STRIKE THREAT

Evening Post, Issue 2, 2 July 1932, Page 12

STRIKE THREAT

CITY; RELIEF WORKS

DISMISSALS OF MEN

MAYOR'S ATTITUDE

A deputation from the United Front of Unemployed Relief Workers waited upon the Mayor (Mr. T. C. A. Hislop) this morning asking for tho reinstatement: of two men who had been dismissed from the Wilton Block job. The proceedings occupied nearly three hours, and were not open to the Press. After the, deputation had withdrawn the Mayor made the following statement to a "Post" reporter:—

"It was pointed out that one of the men concerned had been put to work cutting gorse by himself, and this was regarded by the other men as victimisation. The man in question left his job during working hours and held a discussion with the others. The foreman met him and told him he would have to work where he was sent, and ordered him to return to his job, saying !that if ho did not do so he would be sacked. The man then said, 'very we 11,.1 am sacked!».. The other man was dismissed- for' using obscene language in connection with one of the foremen. "The whole question was discussed between the delegates of the men, tho City Engineer (Mr. G. A." Hart), the assistant engineer (Mr. Thomas), and myself. It was stated on behalf of the men that unless tfhey were reinstated on Monday morning there would be a general strike on all relief works in the city. ......

MATTER OF PRINCIPLE. "After hearing all views and going thoroughly into the matter, I announced that I was of the opinion that the dismissals were properly made, and refused to take any action to withdraw them, -the real principle at issue was whether the Corporation or the men should control the jobs, and the principle that the Corporation must control its own works must be upheld." ■ The reference to time lost is in connection with a stop-work meeting which ■«? P^ee on the Wilton Block job arter the two men.had been dismissed.