IMPORTERS’ THREAT

Grey River Argus, 22 November 1939, Page 3

IMPORTERS’ THREAT

To Sack Employees DUNEDIN, November 21. Judging by the present trend of events, staff reductions are regarded as a foregone conclusion in the wholesale and retail business, after the holidays. One merchant ’ stated that the conditions reported from the North were no different from those prevailing in Dunedin. Stocks of groceries were low, and, where licenses have been received for further supplies, they are only for a small percentage of the actual requirements. AUCKLAND, November 20. The affect which the import restrictions are likely to have on employment for shop assistants, was discussed at a meeting of 350 members of the Hamilton Shop Assistants’ Association, in Hamilton tonight. The Mayor (Mr H. D. Caro> presided. Mr C. A. Barrell, M.P., was also present in an unofficial capacity but took no part in the meeting. Mr A. N. Kirk, said that the Prime Minister (Mr Savage) had promised that any legislation which reacted to the disadvantage of the people would be revoked. The import restrictions, he added, ».'ould result in many of those present losing their positions. After Christmas, unless the restrictions were repealed or relaxed, it was inevitable that there must be heavy reductions in staffs. Mr D. S. George said that some of those present were buyers who knew for a fact that many lines of goods were not in the. country. Reduced stocks meant reduced selling, and reduced selling obviously meant reduced staffs.

A motion was carried unanimously declaring the meeting’s desire for cooperation with the Government in connection with the war, but stating that serious fear was felt that, unemployment would occur in many shops after February, and asking the Government to take steps to relieve the position.