DISCHARGE RESENTED.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVIII, Issue 17780, 13 May 1921, Page 6

DISCHARGE RESENTED.

FITTERS AT NEWMARKET.

REPRESENTATIONS TO MINISTER.

Expressions of dissatisfaction were made in certain yesterday regarding the issue 6f notices to several fitters and turners employed at the Newmarket railway workshops, dispensing with their services as such and giving them the opportunity of accepting appointments as cleaners.

Mr. M. J. Savage, M.P., said that the men concerned recently arrived from Great Britain, and had been given a verbal understanding by a Government representative that in New Zealand their emplovment at the railway workshops would be of six months' duration at their various occupations. After seven weeks of service, however, they received notices, which expired yesterday. Other fitters, including a new arrival from England, had been engaged as fitters at the workshops since the notices were issued.

>Ir. R. F. Barter, secretary to the Auckland branch of the Amalgamated Society of Engineers, said that 12 men had received notices, and all possessed indenture papers showing they had served their apprenticeship They "had been admitted to the society's "membership as competent fitters. In fact, they had complied with conditions of apprenticeship in the most modern workshops in Great Britain.

The following telegram was sent by Mr. Barter to the Hon. D. H. Guthrie, Act-ing-Minister for Railways:—"During the last fortnight members of the Engineering Society received notices dispensing wiih their' services at Newmarket workshops, since when other men have been engaged in the same work. Will you kii dlv advise as to reason?"

A reply received from the Minister last evening stated that he wae having an investigation made concerning the matter, and would communicate with Mr. Barter later.