A CONTRAST

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 17802, 10 June 1932, Page 8

A CONTRAST

STATE V. PRIVATE ENTERPRISE FEDERAL WOOLLEN MILLS MELBOURNE, June 3. The following telegram lias been sent by Senator .J. F. Guthrie .to the U.I’.A. organisations in New South Wales and Queensland: — “Suggest organisations make the following facts available to anriSocialist candidates at once: .Government versus private enterprise. Federal woollen mills, under Government control, were unable to carry on owing to lack of orders, despite unfair advantages. Government paid no duty ou machinery, etc., no municipal or water rates, or taxes. Private enterprise bought the mills.after they were very extensively advertised for public ■tender, spent £120,000 on extensions and ’paid full duties, rates and taxes. They have increased the number of employees from 204 to GOO, and pay £2IOO weekly in wages. Several employees arc shareholders. All are allowed to deposit money at call with the company, which allows 7 per cent, to employees over .two years’ service, and 5 to 6 per cent, to others. They have paid the employees £52,000 holiday pay and bonuses, which is £30,000 more than necessary. Employees working under the same or better conditions than under Government, and under the same wages board.”