CHEESE WORKERS SCARCE

Southland Times, Issue 24420, 28 April 1941, Page 3

CHEESE WORKERS SCARCE

REASON ADVANCED FOR SHORTAGE

A reason for the shortage of workers in cheese factories was advanced at a sitting of the Armed Forces Appeal Board at Balclutha when an appeal on behalf of a cheese worker was being heard. The members of the board were unanimous in expressing the view that cheese factories throughout New Zealand should make some provision from their bonuses to retain men throughout the off season. The practice now, it was pointed out, was to discharge men who were left to their own devices regarding employment. A discussion arose when Mr A. N. Haggitt, examiner for the Crown, asked the manager of the Kaitangata Dairy Company why it was that the coal company in the same district drew most of the available spare labour. The company manager, Mr N. H. Gallagher, said that the men at the factory worked a six-day week of 52 hours. The men were dismissed in the offseason. This was a universal practice.

“There is no security of employment for the men?” asked Mr Haggitt.—“No.” “It is not surprising that there is a shortage of workers,” Mr Haggitt commented.

In answer to a question by Mr J. Price, a member of the board, Mr Charles Stokes, chairman of the board of directors of the company, said that it had never been necessary for the board to consider taking any part of the bonus to make an allowance to the employees to retain their services over the slack seasons.

“There is no reason why they should go back; there is no inducement for them to do so, for you as a company do not do anything to retain them,” said Mr Price.

Mr Stokes: They could get no better treatment at any other cheese factory. Mr J. R. Bartholomew, S.M. (chairman) : There is nothing to prevent them from being given a bonus. Mr Stokes: The same thing is done throughout New Zealand. “Great opportunities are offering in other industries, and you should make some effort to offer your employees something more,” Mr Bartholomew concluded.