"OFFSIDE."

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18233, 18 November 1924, Page 3

"OFFSIDE."

FREEZING ENGINEERS' MISTAKE. Freozing company engineers and firemen are slightly "offside," after a ruling given yesterday by' the Court of Arbitration. Some months ago they resigned from the Freezing Workors' Federation in a body, and threw in their lot with the Canterbury Traction and Stationary Engine-drivers, Firemen, and Greasers' Industrial Union.

Yesterday, when the industrial dispute of tho latter Union was put before tho Court, special provisions for men employed in freezing works were asked for. His Honour Mr Justico Frazer then ruled that the Court could not consider those workors in tho present dispute, and .they would have to return to the Freezing Workers' Union, Mr F. V. Sanderson, who appeared for the four freezing companies in Christchurch, appliod for exemption for them from tho special provisions asked for. Ho said if the application made to transfer workers from one award to another wore granted it would have a far-reaching effect. • His Honour said that after looking into the matter, ho thought tho Court would consider the engino-drivors, firemen, and greasers, when it was dealing with the freozing workers' award, on torms as favourable as at present. He did not see how the Court could tako those workers out of one award nnd put them in another. If thoro had been 110 change in conditions, there was no reason why the workers should not remain in the freezing workers' award. Mr 0. Renn, who appeared for tho workers, Baid .that if the Court camo to that decision, the Canterbury engine- 1 drivers and firemen would bo placed in a very unfair position. They had come over from tho Freezing Workers' Federation in a body, and as a result they would be silent when the Court was considering the freezing workers' award. They had asked the Union to which they belonged to present their case, and they would bo in a disadvantageous position if tho Court did not hear their evidence.

"Whose fault is that?" asked his Hohbur. Ho said they had been in the freezing award for years, and if they liked to do a silly thing and withdraw they would have to put up with the consequences. Mr Renn: They want the Court to hear their case now.

His Honour considered a freezing company was like a butter factory or a tramway system. It was impossible to deal with ..all. the skilled workers employed under their 30 or 40 different awards, and consequently the Court had adopted the policy of making a comprehensive award that would combine as near as possible IJie 1 - provisions of the separate awards. There was no reason in the present application' for a change of policy. Mr Renn said the Canterbury firemen and greasers would, .be "offside," for they had "pulled out" of the Freezing Workers' Federation. •

liis Honour suggested that the Canterbury workers should be represented in Wellington at,the freezing workers' dispute. They were certainly . "offside." "In making claims, in the present dispute they took a big chance," he said. "Did they think the Court would reverse the procedure of the last 15 or 20 years and include them in the present award? When they take a big chance like that they can't grumble if they are ruled offside." ' Mr Renn: The Court has certainly given the workers food for thought, and they can only conclude they have made a false step. r , liis .Honour,: I'm . afraid, sp. . "Mr Renn said , lie did not know how Canterbury could come into the freezing dispute. "Mr F. C. Ellis, secretary -of the Freezing Workers' Federation, then rose and said arrangements could be made by - which the Canterbury meii could give tlieir evidence- in the Dominion dispute'. His' Honour said that would put an end to the difficulty. Mr Renn and Mr Ellis might have a consultation about the special clauses asked for.