THE CEMENT AGREEMENT.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume II, Issue 226, 27 August 1912, Page 5

THE CEMENT AGREEMENT.

A SHAMEFI'L COMPACT.”

The secretary of the Hastings Chamber of Commerce has received a letter from the Napier Chamber pointing out the inequitable agreement which has been entered into between the New Zealand Cement .Manufacturers and the Transpo -t Branch of the New Zealand Federation of Labour, whereby workers refuse to handle cement from outside New Zealand unless contained .n casks lined with zinc, tin or galvanised iron, but agree to New Zealand manufacturers putting it up in bag.;. The Napier Chamber protests against the unfairness to outside manufacturers, and suggests that joint action in the mat ler should lie taken by all chambers. PROTEST FROM PALMERSTON NORTH. Speaking ar a meeting of the Mana wat u E mpl< >yers’ Association. Mr. R. S. Abraham, a prominent merchant, spoke of the agreement : s a shameful compact. In many Ni v Zealand industries English cement was largely used, and he considert d the agreement a direct attempt ; v the colonial companies to prevent ti e handling of English cement, so as o> bolster up their own profits. he moved: — "That the following rem : be sent to the annual meeting of tt - Employers' Association : ’That it: ti e opinion of this melting the age" -

- !ii< nt emend in f c by thr e< mc::t vith the transport bran it the New Zealand Federation < f Labour is against the interests <i trade in this Dominion, ami that the Advisory Be.nvd of the Employer ■' Federation be requested to take legal advice and ascertain whetlu r the agreement ennnot be upset ns being a restraint of trade.’ ” The motion was carried unanimously.