BREAD CRISIS

Waikato Times, Volume 122, Issue 20498, 14 May 1938, Page 8

BREAD CRISIS

MINISTER INTERVENING UNION S ALLEGATIONS POSSIBILITY OF LOCK-OUT (By Telegraph.—Press Association) AUCKLAND, Saturday Mr W. J. Lyon, M.P. for Waltemata, who nas been the personal representative of the Minister of Labour, the Hon. H. T. Armstrong, In the bakery dispute, received advice to-day thet Mr Armstrong Is leaving Wellington for Auckland this afternoon. A full statement of the mens case was forwarded to Mr Armstrong by the secretary of the Drivers’ Union. Mr L G. Matthews, and states, inter alia, that a disputes committee was set up with the Conciliation Commissioner as chairman but the employer concerned. Mr Mathieson, said he would not abide by the chairman's decision and would not re-employ the man concerned. It was alleged by the union that the men had many complaints respecting observance of the award by the employer. that they could not complete their work in a week --f i i hours, that Instructions had been given that they be paid no overtime and that they are compelled to start work at 7 a.m. without payment of the penalty provided by the award.

Replying to tlie employers* earlier statement, Mr Matthews said to-day the union was not interested in any threats and would take first opportunity to combat any union desirous that the dispute be allowed to spread.

He considered the proposed ultimatum that all bakers close down was a political method of stampeding the publlo If the threat were put Into operation no doubt auch action would result In the Government taking complete control of the baking industry. He added that If the bakers gave notice from Tuesday next to olose down It would be considered a lock-out. BAKERS’ ULTIMATUM THREAT TO DISMISS MEN (Special to umes) AUCKLAND, Saturday The Aucklond Master Bakers’ Association. at a well-attended meeting last night, unanimously decided to convene a special meeting of members this evening to consider a proposal that if a guarantee is not forthcoming by noon on Monday that bread baked at the factory of George G. Mathieson, Limited, bakers. Mount Eden, which is subject to a strike of drivers, will be delivered on Tuesday, all members of the association will give their workers notice of the termination of their engagements. “ The Master Bakers’ Association deeply regrets that it even has to consider inconveniencing the public as proposed,” said Mr S. Green, secretary of the association, in a statement after the meeting. “The association foels. however, that it cannot stand by and allow such a highly esteemed member as Mr Mathieson to be vlct mised in a manner Jhnt. if permitted to continue, will mean the Jnss of a business representing a life's work and employing about 20 hands. It Is hardly conceivable that a man would rsk his all. fn the way Mr Mathieson is doing, unlegS'he felt that he had justice on his s’de.”