LOSS OF WORK

Wairarapa Times-Age, 21 November 1939, Page 4

LOSS OF WORK

FEARED BY HAMILTON SHOP ASSISTANTS ON ACCOUNT OF IMPORT RESTRICTIONS. GOVERNMENT ASKED TO RELIEVE POSITION. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) AUCKLAND, November 20. The serious position in which shop assistants are likely to find themselves owing to unemployment due to the import restrictions was discussed at a meeting of 350 members of the Hamilton Shop Assistants’ Association in, Hamilton tonight. The Mayor (Mr Caro) presided and Mr ’C. A. Barrell, M.P., also was present in an unofficial capacity but took no part in the meeting. Mr A. N. Kirk said the Prime Minister had promised that any legislation which reacted to the disadvantage of any section of the people would be revoked. The import restrictions, he added, would result in many of those present losing their positions after Christmas unless the restrictions were repealed or relaxed. It was inevitable there must be heavy reductions in staffs. Mr D. S. George said some of those present were buyers who knew for a fact that many lines of goods were not in the country. Reduced stocks meant reduced selling and reduced selling obviously meant reduced staffs. A motion was carried unanimously declaring the meeting’s desire for cooperation with the Government in connection with the war, but pointing out the serious fear that was felt that unemployment would occur in many shops after February, and asking the Government to take steps to relieve the position.