AUCKLAND GAS WORKERS

Greymouth Evening Star, 28 April 1945, Page 2

AUCKLAND GAS WORKERS

PEACE EFFORTS F-AIL. AUCKLAND, April 27. Efforts to settle the Auckland gtsworks retort house workers striae failed to-day. Proposals were placed before the men but were cieclmec!. There was no gas in the city aiier about I a.m. and even if the men were to resume to-morrow it is unlikely any gas would c-e ayailaoxC io the public during tne wceir-enp... When the Acting-Prime Mimsiei (Mr. Nash.' l was advised o:' the trouy: the Acting-M-uistei' of L.apour (ias. b Eixen), who is jA-iC;vLu.a. Mr. O Brien openec: .legoticLiom.

the men and met then’yepreseritcitives this morning. He told them mai u tne men would return to wow; he womc. have their case investigated., iiie strikers’ representatives carrieo. tpe result of their interview witn tne Minister to a conference of trie tne.i in. Hie afternoon. The secretary pl: toe Auckland Trades C'otmcil '.Mr. Vv . Ashton i was present. The discussion lasted from 3 p.m. to about 4.45 p-m., but the proposals wore not accepted. Tire Minister was later advised tnac the men would not return to worx bin would continue their discussion m 10 a.m. to-morrow. The general manager of the Auckland Gas Company (Mr. R : Worley) said to-night that the.' holder., wore empty. The works staff was endeavouring to iieep the retort house lives alight, but the heat had gone down considerably. There could be no otipply of gas to the public until at least a day and a half alter the men resumed. Mr. Worley said the puolic was incensed over the action tne men had taken, and many had recommended that drastic action should be taken

against them. Two or th ;, ee organisations had also sought a ruling on the legal position resulting from ths men’s action.

The Mayor (Mr. J. A. C. received many representations from citizens, and he communicated, with Mr. Nash to point out the plight ni which Auckland gas consumers had been placed. He was advised the matter was being handled by Mr. O’Brien. “These strikes are causing untold hardship to people with whom they have no' quarrel,” said Mr. Allurm “I cannot find any excuse for their action, and ordinary citizens are incensed over it.”