Figures Challenged By N.Z. Official

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 22916, 7 April 1949, Page 6

Figures Challenged By N.Z. Official

(P.A.) WELLINGTON, April 7. The statement by the secretary of the Auckland Master Builders’ Association, Mr. M. F. Bunker, that between 700 and 800 carpenters had gone back to work was absurd, said the secretary of the New Zealand Carpenters’ Union, Mr. R. Stanley, in Wellington yesterday. “The statement, no doubt, was made with the intention of lifting the rapidly waning morale of the master builders, who. up to date, ‘ had lost more than £49.000 in profits alone since the dispute began,” said Mr. Stanley. This loss was apart from the heavy overhead expenses. The latest survey from the deregistered section of the Auckland branch showed that the maximum number of carpenters who had resumed work was in the vicinity of 300, continued Mr. Stanley. Of this number no fewer than 105 had returned under signed agreements with the employers drawn up by the union on the union’s original terms and conditions.

This meant that at present only 195 of the break-away section were working. A considerable number of others who also returned to work had since walked off the jobs after being told that the resumption of work was in conflict with the decision of the union reached at the las+ Carlaw Park meeting.

“They also realised that the breakaway section would not be registered,” Mr. Stanley concluded. Mr. Stanley returned to Auckland last night.