MINISTER'S ADVICE TAKEN

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22629, 18 January 1937, Page 11

MINISTER'S ADVICE TAKEN

CONFERENCE TO BE HELD

EMPLOYEES RETURN HOME

As a result of the intervention of the Minister of Labour, Hon. H. T. Armstrong, who arrived in Auckland by the express on Saturday morning and subsequently addressed the men who had adopted stay-in tactics at the Westfield, Southdown and King's Wharf works, the men agreed to resume normal work to-day. This decision will also affect the employees at the Horotiu works. The men on Saturday evening decided to resume on the assurance of the Minister that he would convene a conference of workers' and employers' representatives in Wellington not later than Thursday to consider grievances connected with the recent award of the Arbitration Court that have formed the basis of the trouble. The meeting at Westfield lasted for two hours. Mr. Armstrong then addressed a further lengthy meeting at Southdown, and in the afternoon also spoke to the men at the King s Wharf works. Subsequently Mr. Armstrong had a long conference with the disputes committee representing the men. At evening meetings the men agreed to resume on the terms stated. It was about 9 p.m. when word was passed that the stay-in period was over, and the relief and quiet satisfaction of the men was very obvious. They lost no timejn returning home.