TIMBER INDUSTRY

Greymouth Evening Star, 13 March 1933, Page 2

TIMBER INDUSTRY

UNITED MILLS NOT WORKING. “STAR'’ FACTS UNWELCOME. The employees of the United Sawmills Ltd., at Te Kinga and Moana, have decided not to work the mills until an agreement is reached between the Westland Timber Workers’ Union and the employers, on the basis of a minimum wage, for unclassified employees, of 12/8 per day. As yet, the United mills are the only mills affected 1 by the decision of Union representatives to fight for the desired minimum- Meetings with other mill employees will be addressed this week by the President and Secretary of the Union, when the men will decide whether they will continue in work, or adopt similar tactics as the United Mills’ employees. UNION OFFICIALS ANNOYED. An article published in the “Star” last Saturday, dealing with the threatened strike of West Coast timber workers aroused the ire of Messrs B. Topp (President) and F. L. Turley (Secretary) of the Union. They told a “Star” reporter, who sought an interview with them this morning, just what they thought about the “Star,” and those who had given the “Star” information. Mr J. O’Brien, M.P.. was an interested and much amused listener. It all happened in Mr Turley’s office. Through the columns of the “Argus” this morning, it was stated that the article which appeared in the “Star” would be replied to in detail by Messrs Topp and Turley. The “Star” sought to give these officials an opportunity of making a reply. In Mr Turley’s words, however, the “Star” has “cooked its goose” so far as getting any further information from the Union. The “Star” article was, according to Mr Turley, nothing but a. pack if lies, the persons who gave the information were liars, and the “Star” is a liar for publishing such. In unprintable words, Mr Turley expressed his pent-up feelings about the “Star,” and seriously suggested that the “Star” desired to see the timber employees working for 1/per day. The Union, he said, did not expect any help from the “Star” but did expect kicks. So suspicious is Mr Turley, and confident that any information or statement he makes for publication in the “Star” would be misconstrued that he makes it conditional that he should be allowed to read the article before it appears. The truth is that Mr Turley makes so many exaggerated statements that he is always fearful of what he might have said, which he did not desire to be published. It was news to the reporter that the editor of the “Star” has A MACHINE GUN beside him at his desk. Mr Turley stated that this is so. Mr Turley claims to have a. thorough knowledge of the “Star,” and all that it does. He was annoyed this morning! He would not make any statement about Union matters, except to say that a reply to the lies in the “Star” had been handed to the “Argus.” The “Star’s” chance of getting any further valuable information from Mr Turley has gone forever. Further, there will be many timber workers who will stoji buying the “Star.” So Mr Turley said. Mr Topp did not say much. What lie particularly wanted to know, was where the “Star” obtained its information. He was naturally disappointed when the reporter could not tell him. Mr O’Brien would not have missed’ the comedy for anything. There was an ugly looking bowie-knife on the mantelpiece, and after Mr Turley had admittedly “cooled off” a little, he jokingly remarked that the knife would be useful to “cut up” the reporter. Mr O’Brien, who hates a mess, suggested that it would he a shame to deal with the reporter in the nice clean .office, and suggested that the little deed be committed in an empty section nearby. Mr O’Brien then exhibited some skill in deftly throwing the knife into the floor. Mr Turley got his second wind, and thought

TO STRIKE TERROR

into the heart o£ the reporter by daring him to go to Te Kinga. From what Mr Turley said, the timber workers must be in a heat of passion, for they would not think twice of “tearing any ‘Star’ reporter to pieces.” There is a suspicion, however, that Mr Turley exaggerated there. The reporter expressed willingness to accompany Mr Turley and Mr Topp to Te Kinga. Mr Turley stated that the men would give nothing to the “Star” unless they perused the article before being published. He would advise them to do that. He also suggested that the reporter might obtain news by bribing some of the men. There was quite a lot of other things he said' about the “Star” and its “bone-head” literary staff, but they are not fit for publication, and some excuse is made by the “Star” for Mr Turley, who was certainly very annoyed this morning. Mr Turley has had a printed agreement drawn up, setting out the conditions of work, and wages which the millers must pay the men. He is approaching millers with this agreement, and asking them to sign it. They are not signing, and this also is annoying to Mr Tur lev.