N.Z. DEFENCE WORK

Grey River Argus, 17 March 1942, Page 5

N.Z. DEFENCE WORK

BIG LABOUR UNIONS

Solidly Behind War

P.A. WELLINGTON. March 16.

The New Zealand Workers’ Union and General Labourers’ National Federation, two of the largest workers’ organisations affected by the Defence Works Council, have issued a statement declaring that they are whole-heartedly behind the intensive war effort Thev say: The majority of these works will be “offensive construction works, and the, workers concerned will welcome the incisive drive, now afoot, for the culmination of the efforts which have engaged them since the outbreak of the war.” ’’The extension of the hours to fifty-four weekly is not new. Men on these and similar works have shown an inspiring willingness to work extended hours, and already have been working heavy additional hours, which no overtime rates could fullv recompense. Quietly and efficiently, this work has gone on, and in some cases continuously for twen-ty-four hours daily.” The statement commends the appointment of Mr. Jas. Fletcher as Commissioner of the Construction Council. It says: Mr. Fletcher has cut himself adrift from business connections, and has offered his services free to the country. This gesture weighs greatly with uSj, We • also appreciate his bustling, “get-on-wffh-the-job” efficiency. We will get behind him and give him honest support in his task of terrific magnitude. The present situation warrants the powers granted him The Unions describe the announcement respecting wages and conditions as clarifying a chaotic situation, and thev welcome the guaranteed minimum of £ss 5s weekly, saying: “This principle has been of outstanding moment to bunding construction workers for years. These workers offer their services continuously day in and dav out, and yet they heretobefore have been denied the right of any security other than for the hours worked. As the industry is subject to weather ana other fluctuations, the lack ’ of any minimum guarantee has caused much discontent and needless hardship. The workers do not claim wages for not working, but have repeatedly pointed out that the hourly basis of payment has not been an inducement to employers properly to organise operations »o as to avoid bjank pay weeks. Mr. Fletcher has signalled his entrv with a full-face-up to this problem and in a few hours has ended a ceAtury-old canker. The minimum guarantee will not be abused, but will prove a giltedged investnrent for all concerned. The recital of the achievements of building construction and civil engineering undertakings since the outbreak of war, in the face of colossal problem?, would make an inspiring saga. It would also be of real value to the enemy!. An outline of the work in hand would electrify the general public, but would also assit the enemy, so that information respecting these details must, for the present, be undisclosed We arrived at a stage when our effort means the reality of making possible, a determined, factual offensive against the Japanese menace. Our efforts will not be motivated by fear or panic. We are determined to make it possible to hurl effective defiance at the enemy. To this end we. gladly welcome conditions which we would not tolerate under ord.nary circumstances. We will continue to tackle our responsibilities as free citizens of a free nation, in a manner emphasising our determination to remain free.” The statement concludes: “We also welcome the total effort being made in organising to the full the labour energy of the nation. We do not desire to enter on a recriminatory recital of attacks made on us by self-appointed critics who neither “reap nor spin.” We do. however, feel that the general mobilisation of the labour power of the nation will bring alongside of us some of those easy-chair critics, and we will gladly welcome their assistance to carry out the job in hand! It will, aiso, we hope, bring to them a realisation that, whilst they have been talking, we have been doing. We trust that, that now the call is made to them, they will respond tn assist in the supreme effort, necessary.”

The statement is authorised by Messrs R. Eddv (President) and A. Cook (Secretary), of the New Zealand Workers’ Union, and Messrs L. Glover (President) and P. M, Sutler (Secretary), of the New Zealand Labourers’ Federation. i