STOP WORK

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 196, 12 April 1932, Page 6

STOP WORK

ROTORUA UNEMPLOYED MEN PROTEST AGAINST 5-DAY WEEK MEETING THIS AFTERNOON As a protest against the imposition of the five day (40 hour) week. the executive of the Rotorua Unem- " jployed Relief Workers' Association has decided to call a stop-wo-k meeting for this afternoon at three o'clock when ail men on reiief wili cease worl for an hour. At a meetlng of the executive held during the week-end, • it was decided to adopt this means of protesting against the longer working hour:. which have been imposed in the case of the Rotorua district. Some time ago, the five day week was introduced in this district as an experiment and recent meetings oi tho unemployed have registered protests against what is considered an injustice in the application of the longer working week to Rotorua when it is not in vogue in other districls. The recent strike of relief worker; engaged on the Waimakiriri River schemes near Christchurch, was also instituted as a protest against the five day week. It is understood that approximately 600 men will be affected by the stop-work edict if all men registered ir. the district participate. The meeting will probably content itself with passing a resolution protesting against the scheme. The chairman of the Rotorua Unemployment Commlttee (Mr. T. Jackson) when approached yesterday. stated that he had not been informed officially of the intention of the workers, and at this stage, would not comment upon the position. Yesterday, men on the No. 5 scheme commenced digging the sr: acres of potatoes which were planted at the instance of the Borough Council, to provide supplies for relief workers' families during th> ■winter. If all men stop work to-day, the digging of the crop, along with. othci relief -operations, will cease for an hour. It is understood that the hour "stop-work" will automat'cally be deducted from the wages of all men participating.