FREEZING TROUBLE

Dominion, Volume 19, Issue 48, 20 November 1926, Page 10

FREEZING TROUBLE

AUCKLAND DISTRICT AFFECTED REFUSAL TO HANDLE EXPORT STOCK Dominion Special. Auckland, November 19. The trouble that arose in the Hawke’s Bay district at the opening of the new killing season between the slaughtermen and freezing empanies, and which led to the companies employing free labour in the works, is likely to spread to Auckland. Some effect of it lias already been felt. Work on export stock was offered to slaughtermen at the Westfeld Freezing Company’s works this morning, the men having been notified beforehand, but no response was forthcoming. Subsequently a statement was issued by representatives of the Westfield Freezing Company and the Auckland Farmers’ Freezing Company that it was evident that the sluaghtermen who usually handle stock at the two local freezing works intended to fall into line with tlje slaughtermen in Hawke’s Bay, who had refused to deal with export stock at the beginning of the season. In the circumstances the local companies would be compelled to take steps to provide other labour for the treatment of export stock now beginning to be available and which must be treated when ready. The statement concluded with the remark that it was in the interests of £ll sections of the community that no further setback in the expert trade of the Dominion be allowed. The refusal nt the men to start work is the outcome of a meeting a few days qgo of members of the local slaughtermen’s union, when the freezing workers’ dispute in Hawke’s Bay was considered. It was then decided to abide by any instructions issued by the Freezing Workers’ Federation or by the Alliance of Labour. . The fact that instructions have been issued and their nature can be gauged by the action of the men in refusing to start work.

The local freezing companies have no desire to precipitate a crisis in the industry and it is understood that no definite action will be taken by them to engage free labour until the influx of stock renders the position acute. At present the quantity cf export stock is not great and operations at the works for the new season can be deferred to allow further negotiations between the parties to be entered into. In the event of trouble developing and a strike being declared, more than 399 men at present engaged in the industry in the Auckland district would be involved. Later on this number would be swelled to approximately' 700, that being about the total number of men engaged at ' various works during the peak of the season.

WAINGAWA TO OPEN ON MONDAY.

Dominion Special. Masterton, November 19.

The management of the Wairarapa Frozen Meat Company announce that slaughtering will commence at the Waingawa works on Monday. Both sides have remained silent regarding possible developments. A meeting of freezing workers was held on Tuesday, but no statement was made.