TO STOP WORK.

Taranaki Daily News, 2 November 1922, Page 4

TO STOP WORK.

MEN AT HYDRO-ELECTRIC WORKS. SYMPATHY WITH DISMISSED MEN INDIVIDUAL ACTION. The trouble arising out of the refusal of the Borough Council to reinstate the two men who were diwnissed from the New Plymouth hydroelectric works reached a climax at midday yesterday, when som.48 of the employees engaged on the construction works handed in notices to the effect that they would cease work at four o’clock this afternoon. The action was taken individually by the men, who stated that they considered that the two men had been unfairly treated by the council. It is stated that the men will not return to work until the dismissed men are reinstated.

The trouble arose primarily out of the action of three other employees committing a breach of the by-laws in attempting to enter a local theatre when it was full. The borough inspector (Mr. R. Day) visited the works for the purpose of identifying the men, and he alleged that threatening language had been used to him by the two men who have been dismissed. On receipt of the inspector’s report the Borough Council passed a resolution, that if the men concerned in breaking the bylaws were convicted and if the other two men reported were identified, the whole five should be dismissed and ultimately notice was served to them. On reconsidering the matter last Monday night, however, the council derided to re-instate the convicted men, but adhered to the resolution dispensing with the services of the other two. The Mayor (Mr. F. E. Wilson) stated at the’meeting that a hint had been given these men that if they expressed regret the matter would be. dropped, but a letter had been received from them stating that as no insult had been offered the inspector no apology was needed. The position now is that the workers are not on strike, aa the action -was taken individually, though they make no sc.’et of the reason for the step they have taken. The Mayor declined to make any statement on the matter when approached by a Daily News reporter last night, nor would he say anything as to the action he proposed to take. Mr. J. Lyons, secretary of the General Laborers’ Union, also declined to make a statement, as he said a legal -point was involved and he did not wish to prejudice the workers’ case by any untimely remarks. It is understood that representatives of the Borough Council and the General Labourers' Union will visit the works (.his morning with the object of arriv. ing at a solution of the difficulty.