NEW ZEALAND DEFENCE

Greymouth Evening Star, 17 March 1942, Page 6

NEW ZEALAND DEFENCE

CONSTRUCTION WORKERS

WELLINGTON, March 16. The New Zealand Workers’ Union, and the General Labourers’ National Federation, two of the largest workers’ organisations affected by the working conditions imposed oy the Defence Construction Council, have issued a statement declaring that they are behind the intensive war effort. The statement is authorised by the president of the Workers’ Union (Mr. R. Eddy), and the secretary (Mr. A. Cook) and the president of the Labourers’ Federation (Mr. L. Glover) and the secretary (Mr. P. M. Butler). The statement says that the majority of the work to be undertaken will be “offensive construction work,” and that the workers concerned will welcome the incisive drive for the culmination of the effort which has engaged them since the outbreak of war. Commenting on the 54-hour week, the statement explains that the workers have shown an inspiring willingness to work extended hours, and have, in fact, been doing so, for which no overtime rates could fully recompense them.

“We have nothing but the fullest commendation for the appointment of Mr. James Fletcher as Commissioner,” adds the statement. “Mr. Fletcher has cut. himself adrift from his business connections, and offered his services free to the country. This gesture weighs greatly with us. We also appreciate his bustling ‘get on with the job’ efficiency. We will get behind him and give him honest support in a task of terrific magnitude.” “The wages and conditions will clarify a chaotic situation. The principle of a guaranteed minimum £5 5/- a week has been of outstanding moment to building construction workers for years. These workers' offer their services continuously day in and out, and yet they have heretofore been denied the right of any security other than for hours worked. As the industry is subject to weather and other fluctuations, lack of any minimum guarantee caused much discontent and needless hardship. Tn workers do not claim wages for not working, but have repeatedly poim-.

out that the hourly basis of payment has not been an inducement to employers to organise operations properly so as to avoid blank pay weeks. Mr. Fletcher has signalled his entry with a full face up to this problem, and in a few hours has ended a cen-tury-old canker. The minimum guarantee will not be abused, but will prove a gilt-edged investment for all concerned. “A recital of achievements in building construction and civil engineering undertakings since the outbreak of the war in the face of colossal problems would make an inspiring saga. Il would also be of real value to the enemy. An outline of the work in hand would electrify the general public, but it would also assist the enemy, so information respecting details must for the present be undisclosed. We gladly welcome conditions which we would not tolerate under ordinary circumstances, and will continue to tackle our responsibilities as free citizens of a free nation in a manner emphasising our determination to remain free. We also welcome and endorse the total effort being made in organising to the full the labour energy of the nation. We do not desire to enter into a recriminatory recital of attacks made on us by selfappointed critics who neither ‘reap nor spin.’ We do,, however, feel that the general mobilisation of the labour power of the nation will bring alongside us some of those easy chair critics and we will gladly welcome their assistance and carry out the job in hand. It will also, we hope, bring to them the realisation that whilst they have been talking we have been doing. We trust that now the call is made to them, they will respond to assist in the supreme effort necessary.”

“LONG OVERDUE.” AUCKLAND, March .17. “The mobilisation by the Government of all the labour and materia] resources of the building industry, lor the purpose of carrying through the necessary programme' of defence works in the quickest possible lime tinder centralised control is long overdue,” reads a statement issued by the National Executive of the Amalgamated Society of Carpenters and Joiners and the Auckland District Union. The statement asserts that, months ago. this plan was urged upon the Government, m eliminate wasteful methods and ensure priority for' essential _ works. The most-disturbing defect in the present scheme was that the Government had made no provision for workers’ representatives on the Defence Construction Council, which was vital to the efficient functioning of any scheme for the industry, and without it grave weaknesses remained,