DISMISSED MEN

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue CXXIII, 10 April 1937, Page 8

DISMISSED MEN

"TWO BOSSES ON ONE JOB"

GOVERNMENT'S ATTITUDE

There was' an attendance of about 500 at a:., public meetiri^' in ~tne Whangarei Town Hall on' , Thursday evening' called by ■:the' 15 men ;\vho were recently dismissed by the Whangarei, borough engineer, : Mr! H. W. Cormack,: because they persisted in taking "a.■■'morning■■"smoko," contrary to instructions (states , the Whangarei correspondent of the "New Zealand Herald"). . '<" ■'■

Mr. A. T. Brainsby, a member of the Borough: Council, and -Mr. T. Stanley, general secretary of the Auckland Builders' and General Labourers' Union, addressed!'the- meeting'in support of the men. Mr. Stanley said that as, a, result of the dismissal of the/ men for insubordination they were" unable to; receive sustenance. ". • -," "

Mr J. G. Barclay, M.P. for Marsden said that candidly the Government regarded with disfavour industrial disputes when-.endeavours .-were: being made to perfect machinery to deal with such , matters, without troubles such as- the presen'. one arising.- '"I spoke to "the Acting.: -PrimeMiriister (the Hon. P. Fraser) .by telephone on this.matter, and h-2 said that there' cannot^, be two; bosses on one job," said Mr. Barclay. "The Acting Minister of Labour; (the.Hon.. P. C: Web'b) telegraphed, earnestly requesting the men to return to work;, in which case he would arrange for Mr. R. E. Price, Conciliation Commissioner, to visit Whangarei.' That^is the Government's -attitude, and .1 think it is right. . The -Government; . does -,not stand ior direct action by the men, and I agree, with that principle. The Government? will guarantee ample opportunity for all grievances -to be heard, provided" they are handled constitutionally.".' v ; . '.}'■'-:■ The following.resolution was carried unanimously:—"That; this meeting ,of citizens recommends that the request made by x the men for a 'smoko' be embodied'in: any^subsequ'ent agreement covering' borough employees." :* The : following resolution . was-..de-' clared carried on a show of hands:— "That this meeting of citizens is in. accord :with, the action taken -by-the men." ..; :" : '■■-. -\ v■ ; ; ■"' '.: ■, v - An amendment,-advising the men; to accept the Government's, advice, was declared out'of order by the chairman.