HANDLING CEMENT.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1535, 3 September 1912, Page 5

HANDLING CEMENT.

SUGGESTED COMBINED ACTION. From the Napier .Chamber of Commerce came the following Jetter to the local council of tho Chamber of Commerce yesterday:—, ..r. ...... "I am instructed by my chamber to point out the inequitable agreement vliich has bren entered into between tho New Zealand cement manufacturers and tho transport branch of tho New Zealand Federation of Labour, whereby workers refuse to handle cement from outside. New Zealand unless contained in casks lined. with zinc, ■tin; or galvanised iron, but agree to New Zealand manufacturers putting it up" in bags. My chamber protests against tho unfairness to outside manufacturers, and suggest that joint action should be taken by chambers in tho mattor."

The chairman read the circular wliich had been issued to, the transport branch of tho New Zealand Federation of Labour, which lie described as a rather astounding document. It was mentioned that the matter had been brought before the Government, and it had decided to inquire into the matter to seo if tho proposed action was not a breach of 1 tho "restraint of trade" On the motion of Mr. W. J. Thompson,, it was resolved: "That the agreement (between the Federation and New Zeahnd manufacturers of cement) demands tho attention and investigation on the part of the Government."