THE FLAX WORKERS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LI, Issue 27, 2 January 1931, Page 6

THE FLAX WORKERS.

Titere are many people sincere in their opinion that the flax workers of Shannon and Foxton have been ill-advised in making their decision not to return to work at the flaxmills under the amended scale of -wages fixed by the Arbitration Court. It was pointed out by the Court that even working under the reduced rates the mills would be running at a loss. To open the mills under such circumstances means that the owners are making a greater sacrifice than the men. The fact, too, seems to have been overlooked that only one class of employee has been actually reduced in wages from 15s to 10s a day; it is possible for other workers who are on piecework to earn more than this sum. Another important point is that the period of amended wages was fixed by the Court as six months, so that it is a brief span in which to operate. ( The next six months, it is believed, will be a critical period in the economic conditions. If the millers are to lose by opening the mills to provide the 1 men with employment, is the corresponding sacrifice on the latter’s paid out of proportion, when the fact is realised that in this period they will be provided with regular employment? Their refusal may open up an interesting situation with regard to their position under the Unemployment Act, which the Board itself can determine if required. The necessity for the Court’s decision is regretted, but for the cogent reason that not half, but three-quarters of- a loaf is better than no bread, that the world prices for hemp show no immediate prospect of improving, that if the mills are opened the millers will be making a sacrifice to provide employment, there is every reason to believe that the men have been ill-advised to refuse to go back. It is hoped that, with the end of the holiday season, a more reasonable spirit will prevail.