“PURE FICTION”

Wairarapa Times-Age, 16 April 1938, Page 9

“PURE FICTION”

NEW ZEALAND CLOTHING TRADE STORY ABOUT DISMISSALS DENIED (By Telegraph—Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, April 16. The following statement was made today by Mr J. Roberts, secretary of the New Zealand Clothing Trades’ Federation, in reply to a Christchurch report regarding dismissals from clothing trade:—“As one who has an intimate knowledge of the industry in Christchurch, I wish to describe the Press Association report as a wicked misstatement and pure fiction. It apparently has been inspired by a dual purpose—Firstly, to try to influence the Court of Arbitration in respect of the clothing trades’ dispute which is before it, and secondly, to try to stampede the Government to give added protection to the industry. When I left Christchurch a few days ago, the only workers out of work that I knew of were three frock machinists and I had secured positions for them to start after the Easter holidays. Not one single male worker had been dismissed. I challenge those responsible for the Press Association message to name one married man under any of our clothing trade awards who has been dismissed. As a matter of fact. there is a pronounced shortage of workers in some sections of the clothing industry. It is impossible to secure coat machinists and coat hands in Christchurch, and the same applies to Wellington. Whilst I have been in Wellington, one clothing factory has approached me, asking if I could secure clothing workers from Christchurch. I had to reply that there was none available. A Press Association message, emanating from the Dunedin clothing manufacturers, advising that there had been few, if any, dismissals, conveys a true picture of the position of the industry. Dunedin manufacturers are to be congratulated on their very fair statement, and the fait that they did not resort to mis-statements for propaganda purposes. Finally I wish to say that the statement from Christchurch will not be helpful to manufacturers when they wait upon the Government, seeking revision of the United Kingdom tariff. Our own federation will be waiting upon the Government to state the true position of the New Zealand clothing industry.”