FREEZING WORKERS DISPUTE

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 34, 10 February 1933, Page 3

FREEZING WORKERS DISPUTE

Keferenße to steps taken to bring about a settlement of the freezing workers' dispute was made by the Minister of Labour (the Hon. A. Hamilton) in the House of Eepresentativss yesterday.

Mr. S. G. .Smith (Government, New Plymouth) asked whether in view of the- serious' loss which many business houses, small'traders, and workers were experiencing as a'result of the dispute, the Minister would state what transpired to create-the dispute, whether it was due to the action of the employers or workers, or both,'and what steps the Government was taking to,bring about a settlement.

- Mr. Hamilton said the dispute arose when the old agreement ran out. The employers . then cited the employees. Conciliation meetings were held throughout the main centres with a view to arriving at a new agreement, but after every effort was made the parties failed to arrive at an agreement. The award therefore expired. ■ "The interested parties took the necessary legal steps to arrive at an agreement,'.' Mr. Hamilton added. "After the proceedings broke d6wn. I, as Minister of Labour, got the parties together on two or three occasions in an endeavour to, effect a settlement. I have also made efforts with the leaders of the different parties to see if any reasonable solution could be suggested, but so far/without result. The inability of the parties to agrees in this case is regretted. Since I took office I can assure the honourable gentleman that no other industrial.difficulty has come before •:me to'which I have given more time and effort in an attempt to reach a ■ satisfactory solution." '.'■