FREEZING WORKS

Hokitika Guardian, 24 November 1932, Page 5

FREEZING WORKS

LITTLE CHANGE IN THE CANTERBURY DISTRICT (Per Press Association — Copyright.) CHRISTCHURCH, November 23. No notable change 1 is reported in the freezing works dispute in Canterbury. Both the employers and the Hmou representatives state that they are satisfied with the position as it stands.

it is reported from the companies’ representatives that at the five freezing works that opened yesterday, kidiug 'liad proceeded satisfactorily and that the labour available was sufficient to cope with the stucu offering. Owing to the satis.aetory nature of the work performed, it is stated, and to the advent of larger quantities of stock, it is likely that .the boards will be more extensively manned in the future.

Any men already taken on, if their work is satisfactory, are promised preference of employment. The secretary of the Union stated to-day that it had been reported to him that some Union men who had reported for work yesterday did not turn up to-day, At a meeting of the Farmers’ Union to-day, the question wa* raised as to the e figibility for relief work of men who refused employment at' the freezing works, and it was decided to ask the Labour Department for a ruling on the question. The meeting strongly urged such men should not receive any relief work.

PROSECUTIONS AT WAITARA.

INCIDENTS IN THE DISPUTE.

NEW PLYMOUTH, November 23. Incidents at Waitara were the subject of charges against six former employers of ' Borthwick’s Freezing works. The men were charged with attempting unlawfully to restrain Patrick Savage and others from doing something which they had a legal right to do by wrongfully following them in a disorderly manner in Queen Street, and with using insulting language. The hearing was adjourned till Saturday. It was alleged that the accused men had interfered with free labourers.

Close questioning by a detective elicited a denial from all of the defence witnesses that they were boycotting Waitara firm s who supplied free labourers for Borthwick’s.

LONGBURN ON “FREE” LABOUR.

PALMERSTON NORTH, Nov. 23. The Longburn Freezing Works commences its season on December 1 with free labour, the unionists having refusjd to commence at the employers’ rates of pay. >

No difficulty is anticipated getting a full staff.

F.U. OFFICERS HELP TO LOAN. WANGANUI, November 23. Twenty-five members of the executive of the Wanganui branch of the Farmers’ Union, including the president, T. Currie, are assisting in the loading of meat aboard the Jiner "Tasmania.”