EMPLOYERS CHALLENGED

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 582, 7 February 1929, Page 14

EMPLOYERS CHALLENGED

STONEMASONS’ CONTROVERSY

DEMONSTRATION SUGGESTED A heated controversy has been raised between the parties concerned in the stonemasons’ dispute at Auckland, and Mr. J. Purten, acting for the men, has issued a challenge. With respect to the statement by Mr. W. Parkinson in Wednesday’s issue of The Sun, he says: “I am exceedingly surprised that anyone with a knowledge of the machines in question should make a statement to the effect that the dust and vibration is analogous to the Main Trunk journey. And, further, to suggest that to work these machines is w. similar task to driving a steamship or a railway train is ridiculous, callous and unworthy of serious consideration. As it would be impossible by newspaper correspondence to justify our case to the general public, I challenge the employers on behalf of the Stonemasons’ Union to loan one of these machines for demonstration purposes. “The union will undertake to erect and find the necessary appliances for the working of the machine. By this method a practical demonstration as to the vibration and dust caused by its use will be given. “With respect to the magistrate’s decision, and Mr. Parkinson’s opinion, may I state that two engineers gave evidence on oath in the Magistrate’s Court that the machine in question was a hand-surfacing machine; that the medical officer for the district (Dr. Hughes) stated that it was criminal to expect men to work these machines. Further, it has got to be considered that the locked-out members of the union gave the matter very serious consideration before refusing to work the two-inch machine, and it is also well to remember that the workers are not asking for increased wages or shorter hours.” Mr. J. Purtell was one of the assessors for the men before the court when the aw r ard was being framed.