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Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19808, 9 December 1938, Page 7

Retail prices of coal will be increased in Auckland from the end of the present week, it being expected that the rise will be about 2d a sack, or 2s a ton. Increases by retail distributors have been decided upon in consequence of a decision by the Waikato Coal Mine Owners’ Association to advance wholesale rates, chiefly because of the higher railway freight rates to take effect from December 11, and partly to a higher cost of production through wage increases. Seasonal Employment

Only a few men on the East Coast line have taken advantage of the recent offer of the Minister of Public Works, the Hon. R. Semple, who offered special leave o>f three months to al'l workers who wished to return to their seasonal occupations and so assist in agriculture trade. The Minister indicated, during his recent visit to the district, tha men who were trained for seasonal work, and who were not willing to accept leave to take it up gs required, would be discharged from the employ of his department. Those who did resume their normal seasonal activities, he promised, would not lose any of the privileges they would become entitled to by unbroken service in the department. Mr. Semple also made it clear that skilled tradesmen not employed in skilled jobs on the pubLic works must return to their trades if a shortage of labour was felt. It has been found, however, that all tradesmen working in or about the camps are actually at their trades.