Notes From Wellington

Hokitika Guardian, 17 June 1921, Page 1

Notes From Wellington

WELLINGTON, June 14

Some time ago the ' shareholders of the Golden Bay Cement Co. sold their property, receiving os. in cash, and debentures for the balance, with the right of converting the debentures into ordinary shares. Tt is stated that t ! debenture-holders are not satisfied with the present position of affairs, and think that there was no necessity for closing the works. It is thought that cement will be a live topic at the next session of Parliament, when seme interesting statements will be made. Unemployment on the wharf here is increasing, and that appears to bo t' position in all the ports, for even the small coastal vessels are finding it difficult to obtain cargo. Transportation charges must be reduced, and it seems that"this- cannot bo done unless wages drop; indeed, an all-round drop in wages is inevitable. But the need for this cannot be brought home to the workers, except through the harshness of unemployment. The Petone Municipality, which has been experiencing difficulty with the workers at the municipal gas works, have stood very firm on the wages question, and tlie entire staff of stokers and other workers—l 6. in till— have retired, or have been dismissed. Such a firm attitude on tho part of a local lxidy is quite a novelty, hut it shows that the labour market is snob that the men going out pan be replaced, and as n matter of fact, the manager has had no trouble whatever in securing fresh hnnds.