FREEZING WORKERS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 156, 1 June 1940, Page 5

FREEZING WORKERS

WESTFIELD DECISION CHANGED. Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, May . 31. The decision made the previous day to observe Monday as a holiday was reversed by employees of the AVestfield Freezing Co. at a lunch hour meeting attended by more than 700. The meeting was addressed by Mr 0. L. Hunter (liaison officer of the Labour Department), who arrived at Auckland for the purpose of explaining to various unions the Government’s wishes regarding the King’s Birthday holiday. “The workers at Westfield have adopted a very reasonable attitude over the matter-,” said Mr Hunter. “They agreed by a very substantial majority to work on Monday once they understood the correct position. Their previous attitude was clearly the result of a misunderstanding.” Mr Hunter also addressed meetings of workers at the works at Penrose of the New Zealand Glass Manufacturer's’ Coy. and of James Hardie and Coy., asbestos manufacturers, and also at the Challenge Phosphate Works at Otahuhu. At each meeting the workers agreed to observe Monday as a working day. He also made contact with representatives of workers at the Southdown freezing works and at the chemical works at Westfield. At these works also the men agreed to -work on Monday. Employees at the Auckland Farmers’ Freezing Cov.’s works at Horotiu decided to observe the King’s Birthday holiday on Monday, their view being that the day was best for the observance of the event. They also agreed to impose a levy of Is a week on themselves, proceeds to he given to the funds of the Y.M.C.A. and Salvation Army for comforts for soldiers. The decision to observe the holiday was made before Mr Hunter had communicated with union officials at Horotiu. He subsequently arranged to address the men on the subject at a meeting to-morrow.