Workers Object to "Stinking" Water From River

Chronicle (Levin), 12 February 1947, Page 4

Workers Object to "Stinking" Water From River

A serious 'po'sition in connection with. Foxton 's major industry, the production of flax fibre, has arisen out of the diversion of the Manawatu River through tthe Whirokino cut which was constructed to by-pass a bend some five miles in length and so ease the situation in case of flooding in the river. The cut. developed rapidly and soon the major flow of the river ran through ■it but there was sufficient water passing around the big loop to keep it in a fresh condition. Later, however, a bank was constructed across the- river channei near the entrance to. the cut so that the cut would be forced to take the whole of the river's flow. This action stagnated. the water in the loop which/ npw on-ly rises and falls with the tides but does not flow. The water in this loop, it is reported, is used by the flaxmill supplying fibre to the woolpack and textile company and the workers have objected to "its stinking nature." They refused to carry on and the result is that the flaxmill has been idle for a,week. The woolpack factory has carried on but it too must be affected if the strippers in the flaxmill remain idle. It is reported that woolpack workers are meeting today to consider what action they will take, and it is said that they are fully in sympathy with the flaxmill workers. The position has been brought to the notlce of the Ministers of Industries and Commerce and of Agriculture, and departmental heads were in Foxton on Friday in connection with the matter. It is stated that it should have ' been apparent what would happen when the river loop was closed.