SPEEDING UP.

Grey River Argus, 17 February 1927, Page 7

SPEEDING UP.

At Freezing Works.

EMPLOYERS’ BUNGLING.

WELLINGTON, February 16.

At the close of the employers’ ease | in the freezing workers ’ dispute, Mr Sill, replying on behalf of the employees, said that his clients believed the position of the industry to-day was due to mismanagement. The combination that existed between the primary producers and the freezing companies had a great deal to do with keeping the standard of wages on the present low level. “It is a wonder to me,” he said, “that the farmer does not realise ho is backing the wrong horse.” He was surprised that employers did not take some steps to see that the pay envelope was not only the concern of the workers. Referring to a statement by Mr Sanderson that there appeared to be a tacit understanding between the men so far as restriction of tallies was concerned, Mr Sill said that no class of worker in the world 'worked, so hard ias the New Zealand slaughterman. In I the past, the foremen had themselves restricted the men from the “go as you please” policy. Slaughtermen were engaged at piecework rate, the restriction by tho foreman was, he thought in the interests of the industry, resulting in production of a much better article than would bo the case if the men rushed the work. He did not think that the employers should be given facilities for increasing the number of learners. “We do not plead guilty to holding up works at the commencement of the season, but this is not the time to go into that question. If the employers had been a little more reasonable, the holdup would have been avoided. They are not the angels they pretend to be.” Tn intimating that tho decision would be delivered in due course, His Honour (Justice Frazer) expressed the appreciation of the members of the Court at the manner in which advocates had presented the case of the respective parties. He suggested a conference of both sides, and the Court to be held to discuss tho redrafting of the clause relating to hours of ehambei hands. This was agreed to.