DECISION REVOKED

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20262, 1 June 1940, Page 6

DECISION REVOKED

WESTFIELD UNION WORKING ON MONDAY EXPLANATION RECEIVED WISHES OF GOVERNMENT * (Per Press Association.) AUCKLAND, this day. The decision made on the previous day to observe Monday as a holiday was reversed by the employees of the Westfield Freezing Company at a lunch-hour meeting attended by over 700 yesterday. The meeting was addressed by Mr. C. L. Hunter, liason officer of the Labour Department, who arrived at Auckland for the purpose of explaining to various unions the Government’s wishes regarding the King’s Birthday holiday. “The workers at Westfield adopted a very reasonable attitude over the matter,” said Mr. Hunter. “They agreed by a very substantial majority to work on Monday once they understood the correct position. Their previous attitude was clearly the result of misunderstanding.” Mr. Hunter also addressed meetings of workers at the works at Penrose of the New Zealand Glass Manufacturers’ Company and of Messrs James Hardie and Company, asbestos manufacturers, and also at the Challenge Phosphate Company’s works at Otahuhu. Agreement by Employees At each meeting the workers agreed to observe Monday as a working day. He also made contact with representatives of the workers at the Southdown freezing works and at Messrs. Kempthorne, Prosser and Company’s works at Westfield. At these works also the men agreed to work on Monday.

Employees at the Auckland Farmers’ Freezing Company’s works at Horotiu decided to observe the King’s Birthday holiday on Monday, their view being that the day was the best for the observance of the event. They also agreed to impose a levy of Is a week on themselves, the proceeds to be given to the funds of the Y.M.C.A. and Salvation Army for comforts of soldiers. The decision at Horotiu to observe the holiday on Monday was made before Mr. Hunter had communicated with the union officials at Horotiu. He subsequently arranged to address the men on the subject at a meeting to be held to-day. WORKING AS USUAL HAWKE’S BAY FREEZERS (Per Press Association.) HASTINGS, last night. “The men will be working as usual on Monday.” stated a representative of one of the freezing works this morning, when questioned regarding the action being taken about the cancellation of the King’s Birthday holiday at Whakatu and Tomoana works. “The position is that at Whakatu the normal season closes to-day, though several hundred men will continue to be employed at the works, while at Tomoana between 450 and 500 men are being employed. It is not known whether the men have discussed in any official manner the decision of the Government to cancel the holiday. Intimation has been given to the management of the works that the men will be working as usual on Monday. ' The employees of the Tomoana and Whakatu freezing works are contributing 10 per cent of their wages for the week ending June 1 to the fund for the sick and wounded, a donation estimated at £550. The pvonrietors of the works are giving £350 each to the fund, making a total donation of £1250. COAL MINERS THANKED (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, this day. Appreciation of the coal miners’ decision to work on Monday was expressed by the Minister of Mines, the Hon. P. C. Webb. He explained the miners’ action was determined on several ' days before the Government issued the proclamation postponing the holiday.