THE WESTFIELD STRIKE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 18 March 1942, Page 4

THE WESTFIELD STRIKE

GRAVITY OF SITUATION EMPHASISED BY PRIME MINISTER. CALL FOR VOLUNTEER LABOUR. (By Telegraph —Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day. A call for volunteer labour to take the places at once of men who have stopped work in the freezing trade in Auckland was made by the Prime Minister. Mr Fraser, in the House of Representatives yesterday. Mr Fraser, who made a brief statement to the House on the subject, was several times interrupted by cries of “Heap, hear. ’ “Members will be aware of the industrial trouble that has developed in an essential industry—a key industry —important not only to us but to our people in Great Britain, and our men fighting on the various fronts,” Mr Fraser said, before reading his statement. “The Government takes a very serious view of this matter and, after taking certain action in regard to deregistration, the following statement has been made by myself for publication.” ATTACK UPON WAR EFFORT. “The Government takes the most serious view of the action of the workers at R. and W. Hellaby’s meat and preserving works, Westfield Freezing Works and Southdown Freezing Works, and are determined to defeat this effort to dictate to the country when it is in extreme danger and we are faced with the Japanese enemy,” the Prime Minister said. “Meat is required by the people of Britain, butter and cheese are required by the people of Britain —our own kith and kin who have fought and endured and suffered for us. Meat and butter and cheese are required for our brave men who fought for New Zealand in Greece and Crete and Libya. The action taken is an attack upon our war effort. It is a challenge to the Government and the people of New Zealand. The meat, butter and cheese must reach the people of Britain and our men overseas. APPEAL TO LOYAL CITIZENS. “On behalf of the Government I herewith call for men to volunteer to take at once the'place of those who have deserted their posts,” he added. “I call upon every loyal citizen to come to the assistance of our country and our country’s war effort. ‘ “Enrol at once with the nearest State Placement Office,” Mr Fraser said. “In Auckland the Central Placement office is in High Street. The union concerned is deregistered and consequently has no further jurisdiction. Therefore the way is clear for all to assist.” Mr Fraser said he hoped there would be sufficient assistance to secure that the work went on unimpeded. Mr Gopsman (Opposition—Waikato): Will they be given protection? Mr Fraser: Oh, yes. That is a police job. They will have full protection. The police have full instructions about that. It is a standing instruction in regard to this matter. The police in Auckland have the matter well in hand, but I do not anticipate trouble, because I think personally that the common sense of the men will reassert itself and that the work will go on. I understand that the cool stores on the Auckland wharves are also affected, and I hope sufficient men will be forthcoming to get the biater and cheese shifted.