FREEZING WORKS DISPUTE

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 56, 30 November 1926, Page 3

FREEZING WORKS DISPUTE

WATERSIDERS’ ATTIIWE A TEST AT NAPIER BY TELECBArn.—I’BF.SS ASSOCIATION. Napier, November 29. A call was made late this afternoon for to load frozen meat killed by non-unionists to the Port Hobart, which is completing loading at this port. There was no response to the call, but this might be due to a shortage of labour owing to the number of vessels in port. The real test of the attitude of the watersiders will come on Wednesday morning, when a further call will be made. WORK AT FEILDING GOING ON SATISFACTORILY Dominion Special, I-’eildiiig, November 29. In addition to the nine volunteer slaughtermen who started at the I'cil.d--itlg works last week, five extra were engaged this morning, and the quantity of stock being killed is increasing daily. The whole routine is proceeding satisfactorily, and the management is confident that the rush of the season will be dealt with efficiently. No further indication of the feelings of unionists has been made public, but it is understood that the new union which is being formed by the present workers is attracting the attention of those unionists who want work. Noth,ng of a definite nature regarding the proposed union is apparently known, but it seems most likely that the example of other places will be followed, and a union formed here. It is obvious, however, that local members of the Slaughtermen’s Union are very uneasy over the prospect of their jobs passing into the -hands, of voluntary workers, and it is fairly safe to say that thev will relish the chance of getting back to work by joining the new union.

FULL BOARDS AT GISBORNE TOKOMARU BAY UNIONISTS ACCEPT WORK. BY TE6EGB AFH.—-I’BESS ASSOCIATION. Gisborne, November 29. Full boards of forty butchers are operating at both the local freezing works to-day. It is expected that there will be no difficulty in killing from 1500 to 2000 sheep daily at each of the works. A full meeting of members of the Freezing Workers’ Union was held at Tokoniaru Bar on Saturday night, when the officials of the union urged the men to follow the lead of other branches. The meeting was a stormy one, and the officials did not get a good hearing. Eventually the resolution was passed by 19 votes to 15:— "That this branch considers the present time inopportune for demanding an increase in wages, and that work be accepted under the present award.” The Tokoniaru Bay works opened this morning with a complete staff of union men.

FARMERS OPPOSE PREFERENCE

By Telegbaph.—Pbess association. * Pahiatua, November 29. At a large and representative meeting of farmers, resolutions were passed supporting the organisation of free labour for the freezing works during the present trouble, and also urging, upon the executive of the Farmers’ Union to do all possible, to have the preference to unionists’ clause in the Act eltminaled.