STRIKE AT WESTFIELD

Wairarapa Times-Age, 16 March 1942, Page 2

STRIKE AT WESTFIELD

GOVERNMENT TAKES ACTION MEN ORDERED TO RESUME WORK. STATEMENT BY MINISTER. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day. Action has been taken under the National Service Emergency Regulations to terminate the stoppage of work at the Westfield works of R. and IV. HolJaby, and orders are to be issued to the men to resume work immediately. This is to be done by the manpower officer in Auckland to whom the Minister of National Service, Mr Semple, has delegated his authority under the regulations. The Minister of Labour, Mr Webb, said in an interview last night that he had conferred with Mr Semple and informed him of the seriousness of the situation. The men were engaged in an essential industry, and Mr Semple had given instructions that they be ordered to resume work. “The war situation is such that any interference with production will be resisted by the Government to the full,” said Mr Webb. “There is only one plank in our policy now, and that is to win the war. There are a few who feel they can use the law and abuse it at the same time; that cannot be allowed. Anybody who interferes with production, whether employer or worker, is helping our enemies in cur struggle for freedom and democracy.” Mr Webb said that summonses were being issued against the men responsible for the stoppage.