BAKERS' THREAT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23500, 14 May 1938, Page 14

BAKERS' THREAT

NOTICE TO ALL WORKERS SYMPATHY WITH FELLOW EMPLOYER ALLEGED VICTIMISATION (Per United Press Association) AUCKLAND, May 13. The Auckland Master Bakers’ Association at a well-attended meeting to-night unanimously decided to convene a special meeting of members to-morrow evening to consider the proposal that if a guarantee is not forthcoming by noon •on Monday that the bread baked at the factory of George G. Mathieson, Ltd., bakers, Mount Eden, which is subject to a strike of drivers, will be delivered on Tuesday, all members of the association will give their workers notice of termination of their engagements. The following resolution was also adopted:— That this meeting of master bakers, after considering carefully the facts, is thoroughly satisfied that Mr G. G. Mathieson, who was the master bakers’ representative at the Conciliation Council proceedings in connection with the Dominion drivers’ dispute in Wellington last week, is being victimised by the Drivers’ Union, apparently with the backing of the Federation of Labour. Notwithstanding that representations were made to the Minister of Labour, nothing has resulted from him other than to offer a magistrate’s inquiry if the workers’ union agreed, that offer being made only after Mr Mathieson’s bakery had oeen closed for three days and his business almost ruined. Inconvenience to Public “ The Master Bakers’ Association deeply regrets that it even has to consider inconveniencing the public as proposed,” said Mr S. Green, secretary of the association, in a statement after the meeting. “The association feels, however, that it cannot stand by and allow such a highly esteemed member as Mr Mathieson to be victimised in a manner which, if permitted to continue, will mean the loss of a business representing his life’s work. He employs about 20 hands. It is hardly conceivable that a man would risk his all in the way Mr Mathieson is doing, unless he felt that he had justice on his side. “ The facts,” Mr Green continued, “ are simp'le. After Mr Mathieson dismissed a driver because he considered his services unsatisfactory, his other drivers agreed that he was justified in such action. The union, however, took up the matter, and the drivers then refused to work. The members .of the Master Bakers’ Association, after considering the facts, are unanimously of the opinion that Mr Mathieson had no other alternative in the action he took. Furthermore, a representative of the Auckland branch of the Federation of Labour, officers of the Depart ment of Labour, and representatives of the Bakers’ Union admitted that Mr Mathieson acted with good cause. Apathy Alleged “ The association,” Mr Green said, “ cannot understand the apathy, in the circumstances, of the Minister of Labour (Mr H. T. Armstong), who immediately after the strike took place was acquainted with the facts, and also the apathy of the Federation of Labour.” Mr Green said it was evident to all members of the association that Mr Mathieson had been a good employer. So far as Mr Green was aware, the whole of the bakery trade in Auckland was behind Mr Mathieson, and it seemed certain that, unless the workers gave an assurance that they would permit the business to be conducted in a normal way as from Tuesday morning, the baking industry in Auckland would be practically at a standstill when notices terminating the workers’ engagements expired.