NO TRAVEL PERMITS

Grey River Argus, 1 April 1944, Page 5

NO TRAVEL PERMITS

For Freezing Workers MINISTER REFUSES TO DISCRIMINATE. INVERCARGILL, Ma r cß 31. The men resumed at Freezing Works, to-day, on leceivino an assurance that P e £ mltstr^ h at Easter time would be S raat , ed „ works will close down on Wednesday next and resume on Thursday in the following week. • P.A. WELLINGTON, March 31. Hon. R. Semple made a statement to-night concerning the Ma^ a £ e^ a freezing works employees who have asked for Easter railway P ei ?™ ts - C. said it was reported . they had re sumed work .on receiving an * ance that permits for Easter travel iwould be granted to them. The report was contrary to fact. The pos tion was that an official of the Labour Department had informed the 'workers that it work was resumed forthwith, the men’s request for travel permits would be placed before the Government for consideration, but that no assurance has been given. The Minister said that he had considered the matter fully, and he haa come to the conclusion that no discrimination cpuld fie made as between freezing workers and other sections of the workers throughout the Dominion. Similar requests for travel permits had been received from bodies of workers and other sections of the community, who desired to travel to their homes at Easter. It was impossible, and indeed improper, to single out freezing workers for special treatment. The situation on the railways was due to the shortage of coal. It was most serious, and no departure from the present travel restrictions couid be granted. FREEZERS RENEW REQUEST. = P.A. INVERCARGILL, March 31. ; Employees at Makarewa freezing works are to meet at eight o’clock to-morrow morning to consider the > Minister’s refusal to grant Easter travel permits to men manpowered . from other districts. It was believed - by the men that the request would be J granted, and they resumed work this morning. A stop-work meeting was I held at 4.15 this afternoon. The , Union Executive met to-night. It de- \ cided to send a telegram to the Minj ister renewing thp request for travel 3 permits. The Union suggests that . a priority list for rail travel be is--3 sued b.yi the Government, and that j workers directed away from their ! homes be placed high on the list, t 1 ? r NO PERMITS FOR STUDENTS. _ P.A. AUCKLAND, March 31. Rail travel permi’<. will not be ) issued to the students of Auckland Teachers’ Training College wishing 3 to visit their during Easter, s or during May holiday periods, act cording to advice received by the Principal, Mr. D. M. Rae. About 400 •j students of the training college have 7 their homes outside Auckland. Probg ably 250 of these live beyond the 50mile limit, and would require permits . to reach their homes.