CHRISTMAS IN SHADOW

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21716, 3 February 1934, Page 3 (Supplement)

CHRISTMAS IN SHADOW

■ A ■" - - ANXIETY OF 5000 MEN t FEAR OF " THE AXE » Five thousand mer. in Britain were lately facing a Christmas deeply shadowed by suspense. They are employees of the White Star Band Cunard lines, and they did not know what would happen when the two lines eventually amalgamated. All the employees will not be needed for the one' firm. Some must go—but which ones? An interviewer spoke to some of them. There was one man, apparently about 50, white hair, pincenez, a moustache. Thirty years with " the firm." His wife kept asking him what was going to happen. He replied. " Of course my job can't go after thirty years', service." He did not want her to worry. But he knew someone must go. There was another man, tall, rathei' businesslike, horn-rimmed spectacles, clean shaven. " The one great question crops up every morning," he said. '•>' Does anyone know who is to be fired. But no one does. I hardly like to buy presents for my children —the money might be so badly needed later on. But if I don't buy them I should feel worse. I can only wait and hope for the best.' " Both lines have offices in the larger provincial towns. Only one office will be needed now. It is the same with the dock staffs and marine superintendents. Half must go. They all know it—but they don't know who, and when and how."