NEWS ITEMS

Hokitika Guardian, 10 December 1940, Page 2

NEWS ITEMS

TIMBER WORKERS’ PROTEST (Per Press Association—Copyright). AUCKLAND, December 9. A. vigorous protest to the Minister of Labour is being made by the Secretary of the New Zealand Timber Workers’ Union (Mr F. Craig) against the proposal by a firm operating two sawmills in the King Country, to close down on December 13th. for the 'hristmns holidays. The firm was recently granted an extension of hours .or tile production of timber for butter boxes. It is contended that some of the employees would be deprived of holiday pay, also that the effort to overtake the shortage of timber for butter boxes would be retarded. Air Craig is asking tlie Minister to make it compulsory for tlie firm concerned to work the usual time. The practice in the past has been for firms to close down for ten days, and for the men to receive pay for three holidays. DESTRUCTIVE FIRE WELLINGTON, December 9. Many motor vehicles and a large quantity of tyres were destroyed, when a Taranaki Street building, owneoffiy the City Council and occupied by Jamieson’s Garage, Nu Hyphen Tread Ltd., and Dominion Rental Cars. Ltd., was gutted by fire during the lunch hour, to-day. It was impossible ito salvage the vehicles from the burning garage because a doorway was blocked by cars under repair, and with the front wheels jacked up. The damage is estimated at between seven and eight- thousand pounds.