TREBLE RATES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 26 December 1941, Page 4

TREBLE RATES

DEMANDED BY AUCKLAND WATERSIDERS

FOR LOADING PRODUCE FOR OVERSEAS.

GOVERNMENT ORDER DEFIED.

(By Telegraph—Press Association.) AUCKLAND, This Day.

“Leading business men offered to work with members of their staff loading out produce,” said Mr A. G. Brown, general manager of the Auckland Farmers’ Freezing Company today, commenting upon the action of 150 chamber hands at the King’s Wharf cool stores refusing to work yesterday and today in loading shipments for overseas under the conditions fixed by the Government order which cancelled the award provisions for payment of treble rates on these two statutory holidays, and required the men to accept double rates of pay on these and similar days. When the men’s decision was made known on Wednesday afternoon, urgent efforts were'made by the management and the Conciliation Commissioner (Mr C. L. Hunter) to induce them to alter their decision. The men, however, insisted on working only under award conditions. Steady rain early today interrupted cargo working and upset plans to work long hours in loading produce. The meh will recommence operations after midnight, when the statutory holiday period ends.