USE OF PRISONERS

Evening Post, Volume CXXXV, Issue 22, 27 January 1943, Page 3

USE OF PRISONERS

FURNITURE INDUSTRY, PROTESTS

Strong protests against the employment of Japanese prisoners of war in the furniture trade were made by the Wellington Furniture and Furnishing Trade Industrial Union of Employers, when the statement recently published that the Minister of Defence had under consideration the employment of Japanese prisoners of war in 'this work was considered, and the following resolution was carried unanimously:— •■•**. "The members of the Wellington Furniture and Furnishing Trade In.^ dustrial Union of Employers are gravely concerned over the suggestion made by the Hon. F. Jones, Minister of Defence, that the Government has under consideration the employment of Japanese prisoners of war against the proposal to utilise Japanese in the manufacture of furniture in competition with New Zealanders at present engaged in the trade. It is further suggested that from a sentimental standpoint^ it would be unfair to expect New Zealanders who have returned from the horrors of war to accept into their homes articles manufactured by Japanese prisoners." It was also suggested that Japanese prisoners of war should not be employed at skilled trades; but could be employed on flax cutting and in many other unskilled occupations.