RATIONING WORK

Hawera Star, Volume LI, 3 January 1931, Page 15

RATIONING WORK

EMPLOYEES AG RECABLE

UNION OFFICIAL'S VIEWS

(United Press Association —By Electric Telegraph

Copyright.; SYDNEY, Jan. 1. The “Sydney Morning Herald” states that shop assistants in a number of large establishments have intimated that they are prepared to continue rationing rather than face the dismissal which they realise the Government’s latest decision must mean for large numbers. Secret ballots taken in two big city stores resulted overwhelmingly in favour of rationing. In one case a union official appearing during the progress of the balloting and protested, whereupon lie was ordered off the premises. Subsequently he explained the grounds of his protest. “Although the entire staff had been asked to decide whether they favoured the present system of rationing, only one-tnird of the employees had been rationed,’ he said. “It was unfair to hold a ballot among those not affected by ration-* ing.” Employees and industrial leaders declare that the abolition of rationing labour in private employ will not only operate disastrously against a large body of employees, but a iso have a bad effect upon industry itself. Emare unanimous that the declaration of of a 44-liour week will have a disastrous effect upon New Sauth Wales. 1 Mr. R. Marks, ex-president of the Chamber of Manufacturers, said: “Poor old New South Wales is going to be pushed right into the background. Our manufacturers cannot possibly compete with those other States working forty-eight hours. Neither can our business people.” Industrial leaders expressed the opinion that the shop assistants, if given the opportunity, would decide in favour of rationing to avoid dismissals.

Despite recent protests by employers against the (proposed re-introduction of the 44-hour week, with pay for 48 hours, also the abolition of rationing, State Ministry has decided that both shall operate on January 5. It is estimated that 26,000 employees will be dismissed. Employees assert that there is only a certain amount of money available for wages, and the only alternative is wholesale dismissals.