NO WORK AVAILABLE AT HOUSE FACTORY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18468, 21 May 1928, Page 4

NO WORK AVAILABLE AT HOUSE FACTORY.

PRIME MINISTER ASKED TO CONSIDER SITUATION. Per Press Association. HAMILTON, May 21. Complaints have been made to members of Parliament in this district regarding the dismissal of men from the Government house factory at Frank ton. To-day Mr Lee Martin, M.P., sent the following telegram to the Prime Minister:— “I am advised that seven more men have been put off at Frankton house factory and others have been notified, some of whom are married. In view of the large amount of unemployment and very genuine distress I hope the Government will not increase this, but keep these men employed.” Officials at the factory declared that it would be a waste of public money to keep the men on the pay roll when no work could be found. The authorised programme had been finished, and unless further instructions were received there was no alternative but to get rid of the hands for whom work could not be found. During the past six months approximately twenty-five men have been put off. PLUMBERS FEAR THAT . ATTACK IS PLANNED ON THEIR UNION. (Special to the “ Star.”) AUCKLAND, May 21. The attitude of the Auckland Master Plumbers’ Association in offering to assist journeymen plumbers to positions is resented by the union, as it is interpreted to indicate that the employers are endeavouring to make a close corporation of the trade. On the day following the association’s offer by advertisement, the union urged its members seeking engagement to register w r ith the union’s secretary because “the employers’ organisation is endeavouring (1) to break up unity of plumbery; (2) to lower wages; (3) to have on hand a number of men from whom to pick and choose; (4) to improve the status of the Employers’ Association and cause outsider employers to join; an<J (5) to break up any combination the union might have to improve conditions.