HAPPY EMPLOYEES

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 853, 23 December 1929, Page 11

HAPPY EMPLOYEES

STAFF CONTENTED AT CHELSEA REFINERY REUNION AT BIRKENHEAD The happy relations between employers and employees existing at the Colonial Sugar Company’s refinery at Chelsea was shown at a reunion held, in the Foresters’ Hall. Birkenhead, on Saturday evening. None of the 30 men present had been with the company for less than 25 years, many having served nearly double that period. Mr. J. C. Yeomans, manager of the Chelsea works, in proposing the toast of ‘‘Old Chelsea Employers*” referred to the progress the Company has made during the past 45 years. This was made possible to a large extent through the spirtit of co-operation between men and managers. - He showed several photographs taken when the works were opened. Difficulties were many in those days but now the refinery is one of the most up-to-date works of its kind in the world. A foundation member of the staff, Mr. J. R. McPhail, who presided, outlined the changes during the 46 years ho has been with the Company. During the erection of the building, he worked in the brickmaking yard at Duck Creek, as Chelsea was then called. His family came to the Dominion with the transfer of his father, the late Mr. James McPhail, who had worked with the Company in Australia.

Five managers have been in charge of the works at Chelsea during the memory of Mr. W. Wooley, who responded to the toast. During his 48 years of service conditions have changed immensely. Formerly sugar was imported in baskets, and tho men worked 12 hours a day for a, wage of 36s a week. His father and his brothers between them have completed nearly 200 years’ work at the refinery. The Sugar Company had made Birkenhead through a liberal housing scheme and superannuation fund, and through providing life-long employment for their men. The toast of “The Colonial Sugar Refining Company” was proposed by Mr. Albert Hadfield, who spoke of the harmonious relations existing. High esteem was expressed for Mr. E. W. Knox, the general manager, who is a prominent figure in the financial world in both Australia and New Zealand. The company had always shown a willingness to contribute to the needs of the borough, and recently donated £2OO toward equipping the Birkenhead fire brigade. All regretted the retirement of Mr. J. Newell, manager at Auckland. Toasts of “The Staff” and “The Pensioners” were honoured, and musical items were given by Messrs. G. Pike, 11. Hilton, P. Hurn and C. Hunter.