LITTLE SHIPS

Timaru Herald, Volume CLVIII, Issue 23315, 26 September 1945, Page 4

LITTLE SHIPS

Contracts Cancelled Many Men Thrown Oat . Of Work (N.Z.P.A.) AUCKLAND, Sept. 25. American and British shipbuilding contracts worth about £320.000 to Auckland firms have been cancelled as the result of the end of the war and the finish of lend-lease. Following advice from the shipbuilding division of the Marine Department of the cancellation of orders, some Auckland companies have given notice to a number of their employees and others are likely to lose their jobs in the next few "weeks. At least 150 men, including carpenters, welders, boilermakers, engineers, other tradesmen and labourers have been given notice. Some ceased work to-day. having been given a week’s pav in lieu of notice. The orders cancelled are as follows: Five 75ft steel tugs to have been built by Steel Ships, Ltd., at Mechanics Bay. to complete the programme of 15 for the United States Navy; three 114 ft powered lighters for the United States Navy, one to have been built by Seagai’ Brothers, Ltd., and Shipbuilders. Ltd., one by United Ship and Boatbuilders, Ltd., and one by Stevenson and Cook. Ltd., Fort Chalmers, and 12 of 24 45ft wooden towboats ordered by the Eastern Supply Group from United Ship and Boatbuilder.. Ltd. Many of the smaller shipbuilding businesses and other establishments engaged in the prefabrication of vessels have been affected also by the cancellations. Steel Ships, Ltd., has delivered seven of its 75ft tugs to the United States Navy, which has cancelled further orders, although the company does not know who will take them. It has been advised by the Government to complete another three. An official of the Auckland Master Builders’ Association said the building trade would find difficulty in absorbing carpenters dismissed from shiobuiiding. Most of the Auckland builders were now fully staffed and could not provide work without materials. “On present indications I think we can absorb these men comparatively easily,” said ths District Manpower Officer. Mr C. G. S. Eilis. “There is a strong demand for skilled tradesmen of almost every description. A problem presents itself With men who are now regarded as skilled in their particular line, but who in reality are only semiskilled. Many of the jobs they were doing have no parallel in normal peacetime practice, and that is where the difficulty may lie.”