CARPENTERS AND JOINERS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25136, 29 January 1943, Page 5

CARPENTERS AND JOINERS

TRANSFERENCE TO WELLINGTON EMPHATIC PROTEST LODGED As a result of the representations made by the Mayor (Mr J. C. Kirkness) to the authorities, protesting against the transference of carpenters and joiners from Oamaru to the North Island, advice has been received from the Minister of Health (Mr A. H. Nordmeyer) that a considerable quantity of prefabricated units will be constructed in Oamaru, providing work to absorb factory and building labour in the town. The matter was first taken up by Mr Kirkness on January 22, when he advised the Minister of Supply (Mr D. G. Sullivan) that he had been reliably informed that more carpenters and joiners were being transferred from Oamaru to Wellington, and that building in Oamaru was practically at a standstill. Mr Kirkness stated that the citizens of Oamaru viewed seriously this constant drain on trained man-power, and he emphasised that the present Government policy would lgave the district stagnant.

Following a conversation with Mr Nordmeyer and an interview with the contractors and the men, Mr Kirkness notified Mr Nordmeyer that the stoppage of permits in Oamaru had left contractors no option but to go to the North Island, where Government officers were offering them contracts, and they wished to take their men with them. Sub-contractors were thrown out of work, and Were storing stock and plant because there was nothing to do, and the question of closing down one of the large joinery factories was being discussed. Serious Position Created

In a letter to Mr Sullivan on January 26. Mr Kirkness pointed out that 16 carpenters and joiners were to leave Oamaru for Wellington, and others had been notified that they might have to go later. Meantime they had lodged their objections to the transfer, but had been informed that. they might be “ manpowered ” to the North Island at a later date. Mr Kirkness stated that in a town already starved for lack of support in the establishment of any military camp or aerodrome, the closing down on permits for private contractors, the removal of contractors and workmen, and the consequent closing down of sub-contractors spelt disaster for the business life of this community. Was it proper that the North Island should be the centre for the whole war-time activity of the Dominion? The Minister of Health had advised that amongst the buildings were several hospitals, continued Mr Kirkness, who asked why they could not be distributed throughout the Dominion and be a permanent asset to the Health Department and the community in which they were established. On behalf of the community he lodged an emphatic protest against the Government’s policy, and asked that, in common with the North Island, Oamaru and other centres in the South Island should be treated to a share of the work following in the train of the war effort. Furthermore, homes were at a premium in Oamaru, and for lack of building permits the building trade was at a complete standstill. In reply to the Mayor’s representations, Mr Sulivan advised on January 27 that building labour was urgently required in Wellington for defence and earthquake reinstatement construction, which necessitated drawing men from other districts and a corresponding curtailment in even relatively essential domestic work. Mr Sullivan said he fully appreciated the nature of the repercussions in the Oamaru district, and he had given (district building controllers authority to reissue permits as and when circumstances permitted. Construction Work in Oamaru

Following on further representations made by Mr Kirkness to the Minister of Health, Mr Kirkness yesterday received advice from Mr Nordmeyer that he had consulted the Minister of Public Works and the Commissioner of Works regarding the transference of labour from Oamaru to Wellington, and as a result of that conference it had been decided that a considerable amount of prefabricated units would be constructed in Oamaru. This would provide work to absorb factory and building labour. The carpenters being transferred would be held in the North Island until supplies of material and preparatory work in connection with prefabricated units justified their return to Oamaru in about a month. The building controller was being authorised to issue permits for urgent work in the Oamaru district.

Tides.—To-day, at the Port of Oamaru, high tides will be at 9.5 a.m. and 9.44 p.m.