MILLS CLOSE

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 170, 21 July 1942, Page 6

MILLS CLOSE

ROTORUA MEN IDLE UNION OFFICIAL'S COMMENT (0.C.) ROTORUA, this day. The National Timber Company's sawmill at Ngongotaha has been closed down indefinitely and Messrs. Ellis and Burnand's mill at Manunui, in the Kiftg Country, is also to cease operations. In a statement on the position, the national president of the New ZeaTimber Workers' Union, Mr. W. Seator, who is also secretary of the South Auckland branch of the union, said the National Timber Company had closed its mill and that approximately 40 men were idle as the result. It was too early to sav how long the mill would be closed as this would depend upon the result of negotiations which were to take place between the Timber Controller, Mr. A. R. Entrican, and the director of the company in Auckland. and the ability of the company to supply the mill with logs. Efficiency of Mills "There is no logical reason," said Mr. Seator, "why this mill and Ellis and Burnand's mill should close. Both are situated right alongside the railway and petrol and tyre troubles will not affect them. The bush is available in abundance. Both mills are efficient mills capable of cutting up to 80,000 feet of timber a dav, and, capably handled, wotdd contribute largely to the present shortage of urgent defence timber." Mr. Seator went on to say that it should have been apparent months ago that some provision would haveto be made to ensure that an adequate supply of logs was available to keep the mills going to full capacity. In any case, it was apparent to the men employed there and the union as far back as November last. When an inquiry was then held into production and manpower in Rotorua this question was discussed. Since then a considerable amount of time had been lost, and although the seriousness of the position was obvious at that time, it did not appear to have been appreciated bv those responsible for the control of the undertaking or the industry. Allowed to Drift Things were allowed to drift along until the crash came, said Mr. Seator. The position, however, could not be allowed to go on, and the men were determined to force a decision one way or another. It was not a question of shortage of bush in this country. It was a question of hesitancv arid indecision, and those responsible knew it.

"The timber workei-s have agreed to a variation of their award, longer hours, and even Sunday -work, to assist in the war effort," continued Mr. Seator. "Now they are asking, and rightly so. what the industrv and the control are doing towards the war effort. Naturally the men will protest, because, under the AVar Regulations, they cannot change their employment, but have to remain where they are until the position is clarified."