SUSPENSION OF AWARD

Hawera Star, Volume L, 29 November 1930, Page 5

SUSPENSION OF AWARD

DISTRESS IN FLAX INDUSTRY

EMPLOYERS TO APPROACH COURT.

(By Telegraph—Press Association.) FOXTON, Nov. 28. The chaotic conditions obtaining in the flax industry- were fully discussed at a special meeting of the New Zealand Flaxmillers’ Association to-day. The point was stressed that the wide spread distress which existed among unemployed flax workers was due entirely to the existing rates of wages fixed by the Arbitration Court .Under the present market conditions this undoubtedly was the main factor in keeping mills closed for such a long period. The vast flax crop within the dominion is ready to harvest, 'and in many localities Max was deteriorating for want of cutting. Another direct and serious effect of the stoppage of this important industry is that hundreds of thousands of pounds, representing the exportable value of the province, is being prevented from coming into the country at a time when the Dominion is badly in heed of finance.

After all aspects of the industry had been fully and carefully discussed, and in view of the apparent position of both millers and employees, the meeting unanimously passed a resolution that urgent application bq made to the Arbitration Court for an amendment of the wages clause of the award by way of reducing rates sufficiently to enable millers to operate their mills, or failing that a. suspenson of the award. A combined meeting of flaxmill owners and employers recently suggested the suspension of the award, but the Manawatu Flaxmills Employees’ Union last Saturday decided, by 112 votes to one, not to ask for suspension.