BRINSMEAD’S CLOSED AGAIN.

Hokitika Guardian, 24 June 1920, Page 4

BRINSMEAD’S CLOSED AGAIN.

The sensation caused last February by. the announcement of John Brinsmead and Sons, Ltd., that they would he obliged to close their piano factory owing to their inability to produce at a profit will be well remembered. The operatives vigorously protested that underproduction was not the cause of the trouble and a decision was at length reached to reopen the following announcement being made:—

“The employees' stated their willingness to co-operate with the management, and amicably expressed their confidence in the ability of both to achieve the desired results, and agreed that the factory be re-opened . for a probationary period under conditions to be mutually agreed between the workers and tlie directors.” 1

Apparently, however, the “desired re. suits” have not been achieved, for the factory has been obliged to cease production without even completing the work in hand. According to the managing director, co-operation has been conspicuous by its absesce. To a Press representative he said: “In the middle of February about 300 men anticipated the'expiration of their notices and warK. ed out. Since then we have been victim isod and unable to do anything. Me have been placed on the black list, pick, ets keep an eye on the factory, and we cannot even obtain a satisfactory explanation.” And s o the factory is to close. It is a great pity, and we can only think that if a proper standing council on the lines of the Whitley report had been formed, and both sides had put their cards on the table, a happier result might have ensued.