WAR EFFORT

Wairarapa Times-Age, 28 May 1940, Page 5

WAR EFFORT

PLEDGE OF FULL SUPPORT TRADE UNIONISTS AND LABOUR PARTY SUPPORTERS. MEETING IN MASTERTON LAST NIGHT. The president of the Wairarapa Trades Council, Mr F. Cole, presided over a large attendance at a meeting of trade unionists and supporters of the Labour Party held in the social hall last night. The following resolution was passed unanimously: “That this meeting of trade unionists and Labour Party supporters pledges itself to support the Government in any action it sees fit to take in the prosecution of the war, and further, we have every confidence in the Government to take any action necessary when required.” Addresses were given by Mr J. Roberts, president of the New Zealand Labour Party, and Mr J. Robertson, M.P. . x , “The watersiders at Wanganui started work at 5 a.m. on Friday and worked until midnight. On Saturday they started work at 5 a.m. and again finished at midnight. On Sunday they started work at 5 a.m. and finished work at 2 a.m. on Monday morning,” stated Mr Roberts. “The men worked those hours without making any demand for special rates of pay. The employers paid the workers double the ordinary overtime rate voluntarily in view of the long hours worked, and the efficient despatch given to the overseas vessel.” Mr Roberts traced the developments of trade unionism from the time of its inception, stressing the part that it had played in benefiting the workers over past decades. He spoke of the call made on trade unions in the piesent crisis in expanding production. Mr Roberts stated that if longer working hours were required to be worked in the national interest, the Government would receive the wholehearted support of trade unions. Referring to defence matters, he said New Zealand ( possessed most up-to-date aerodromes. He stressed the fact that recruits had come forward voluntarily to fill tl e three Echelons, with provision tor reinforcements. Mr Robertson briefly addressed the meeting, urging unity from all sections of the community in the common cause. Messrs Roberts and Robertson were accorded a hearty vote of thanks.