Support From Wanganui For Stand Taken By Auckland Builders

Wanganui Chronicle, 16 February 1949, Page 5

Support From Wanganui For Stand Taken By Auckland Builders

Congratulations on the strong stand taken in the carpenters' dispute by the president of the Auckland Builders’ Association (Mr. J. M. Whittaker) were extended in a telegram sent to him yesterday by Mr. S. J. Sullivan, president of the Wanganui Employers’ Association. Commenting on the position, Mr. Sullivan said that employers did not dare to withhold what was considered to be just and equitakie and relative conditions but to uphold law and order and to have disputes settled and adjusted within the framework of the Dominion's industriaj law. “It. appears," said Mr. Sullivan, “that the Auckland employers are fully justified in taking drastic action, particularly toward those members of the union who have proved to be troublemakers and who do not believe in peace but in the propagation of | Communist principles to the detriment I of all good, fair-minded unionists.. Members of the Wanganui branch ofj tiie union were taking a sensible view; of the position, They were endeavouring to cultivate good relations •with! the employers with a view to settling any disputes in a peaceful and con-

stitutional manner. This, he said, would lead to mutual understanding between master and man and would lead to the appreciation of true wages. “The day will come, and come soon, when all liberal minded unionists will attend to their union affairs with greater diligence and oust the troublemaking Communist element,” said Mr. Sullivan. Mutual confidence between employee and employee could do more in finding real wages and contentment on both sides. “We cannot allow the Communist element in unions to hold a gun at the heads of the people all the time,” was the comment of Mr. T. N. Dickson, a member of the Wanganui Builders’ Association. He held the opinion that the Auckland employers were fully justified in taking the step they had agreed on. "We are very pleased to see that the local carpenters have no intention of breaking the law. Saner elements seem to be controlling the union here.” The secretary of the association (Mr. E, .1. Orchard) said that although Wanganui builders were out of touch with the situation in Auckland they would give the strong action every support.