DOMINION FREEZING WORKS

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 45, 16 November 1940, Page 13

DOMINION FREEZING WORKS

Union To Ban Australian Slaughtermen QUESTION OF .MILITARY SERVICE (By Telegraph—Bress Association.) AUCKLAND, November 15. A decision not to countenance the employment of Australian slaughtermen in Dominion freezing works while compulsory military service is in force in New Zealand, has been reached by the executive of the New Zealand Freezing Workers' and Related Trades Association. The association, which comprises all district trade unions concerned in the freezing industry, has advised interested Australian trade unions that their clearances will not. be accepted in New Zealand.

There had been a fairly large influx of slaughtermen from Australia each season for many years, the mon usually arriving in the Dominion iu November in time for the commencement of the lamb aud mutton season, stated a representative of the union. Slaughtermen arriving in the Dominion hail to produce a union clearance before they could be employed iu freezing' works. In normal times no exception was taken to this practice, but in view of the different conditions in New Zealand aud Australia in regard to military service, it was felt that some effort, should be made to protect local workers.

“It would be unfair were our men to be called for military service and their jobs filled by men from overseas who are under no similar obligations to serve.” stated another representative of the union.

He said the management of all freezing works had been advised of the decision. The management of works in the Westfield district stated that the decision of the association would not concern them to any great extent. Only a few men from Australia had sought employment during peak slaughtering seasons in recent years. The position was stated to bo different in southern freezing works, and in some districts in the South island considerable numbers of Australian slaughtermen were employed.