WORKERS’ COMPLAINT

Dominion, Volume 35, Issue 263, 5 August 1942, Page 8

WORKERS’ COMPLAINT

Stoppage At Timber Mill ,|l.v lelegrapli—Press Association.) TAUMARUNUI, August 4. The national president of the New Zealand Timber Workers’ Union, Mr. W. Sea tor, stated that be bad received advice that the National Timber Company’s mill at Ngongotaha had again closed down because of Jog shortage. It. was said the stoppage would only be temporary, having been caused by two tractors breaking down at the same time. This was over a week ago, Mr. Seator added, and it was learned on Saturday that one of the damaged tractors was only brought out of the bush on Friday night, two weeks after it had broken down. Continuing. Mr. Seator said the timber Industry was in a shocking state of disorganization. and it was little wonder that the men were dissatisfied. They realized they were producing urgent defence material at the same lime as they were producing taxable wealth, and the taxation assisted in producing war materials neeessarv for winning the war. The Minister of Labour was telegraphed to on Saturday morning for a decision as to whether the men were to be given permission to leave their employment for other work, or be paid wages while they were idle. “I am certain that some definite decision from the Minister, which was promised over a week ago, would stive further trouble in this important industry.” Mr. Seator said. “They will not stand this muddlcment going on indefinitely.”