SUGAR WORKERS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18047, 22 September 1920, Page 5

SUGAR WORKERS

CHELSEA REFINERY GOING AGAIN.

PLENTY OF RAW SUGAR IN SIGHT.

UNREINSTATED MEN'S . POSITION.

(Peb <Uniti!d Pkess Association.) AUCKLAND, September 21. After the men had been selected for work at the Chelsea Sugar Refining Works yesterday morning, those among them who had made contributions to the Employees' Provident Fund were handed back their contributions. A total of over £10G0 was returned, in sums ranging from £10 up to £80. Explaining tho position this morning, the works manager said that the men had had the money returned because they loft tho service. If they were reinstated as members of the fund it would be by the grace of the trustees of the fund. The workers themselves controlled the fund. Regarding the operations at the works, Mr Campbell said that they were in full swing, but "that tho normal output would not bo attained for a week, until the whole pl;ico was got going. Tho men only started "to melt sugar at midnight last night. They would be in full swing in regard to tho production of fine sugar within a week. There are about 1000 tons of raw sugar at the works, and the Mokoia is duo hero from Fiji to-morrow with 1800 tons, and the Rakanoa on FridaV with 2350 tons. A special meeting of tho union has been called for Sunday at the Trades Hall, when several Labour M.P.'s will bo present to elicit information regarding the alleged victimisation of 14 men, and other aspects pertaining to the matter.