A STORMY MEETING

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12612, 24 November 1926, Page 8

A STORMY MEETING

NO OPPORTUNITY TO VOTE HAWKE’S BAY FREEZING WORKERS OPPOSED TO ALLIANCE OF. * LABOUR ACTION Per Press Association. NAPIER, November 23. V meeting of members of the awke’s Bay Freezing Workers’ nion, at Hastings, to-night, was Id reseed by Mr James Roberts, of lie Alliance of Labour, and Mr Mc’rine, president of the Auckland Vatersiders’ Union. The meeting was i stormy one and a large number of hostile questions were asked, but no nportunity was given to vote apiiotal or otherwise of the Alliance’s 'ction in the present trouble. The >nly. motion put to the meeting was mo 1 conveying thanks to the chairnan.

The result is that' the position is unchanged. There is reason to believe that free labourers will shortly form a union, in which event many of the strikers assert that they will join i f given an opportunity. There is no lack of evidence that the unionists in this district oppose the course being pursued at the dictation of the Alliance of. Labour, hut for some reason or other the men lack the courage to take' charge of the position and conduct their own affairs according to their own wishes. PROGRESS SATISFACTORY PLENTY OF VOLUNTEERS SEVERAL UNIONISTS ENGAGED. Per Press Association. GISBORNE. November 23. The position with regard to the two freezing works which have opened is entirely satisfactory. The volunteers who- commenced work yesterday are making good progress. There were over 650 sheep killed at Haiti works yesterday, and about 500 at Taruheru. More butchers came forward for employment this morning, and there are now 26 slaughtermen on the board at Waipaoa and 20 at Haiti. A fair number of those at Taruheru are learners, but. six unionist butchers who accepted employment at Haiti ’ are determined to continue, and a number of others on the board there are experienced men. To-morrow more butchers' will be engaged at Haiti. It is anticipated that dose on 1000 sheep wjJJ be killed at each of the works to-day. and the number will improve steadilv as the volunteers become more accustomed to the work. Members of the union are not interfering with the volunteers in any way. and it is stated many are oniy too anxious to get to work thenlselves. While there has been no definite move to break away from the union in Gisborne up to the present, there is a good deal of dissatisfaction, and it is probable tbe lead of the men in Hawke’s Bay will be followed. A NEW UNION STEPS FOR' REGISTRATION. Per Press Association. PALMERSTON N., November 23. At a representative meeting of labourers at the Longburn freezing works, held last evening, it was decided to form a new union, following a lengthy discussion. Steps are now being taken to register tbe new union. This morning, when the works opened, all tbe general labourers put in an appearance, but the butchers did not attend. Plenty of volunteer labour offeredv and a dozen men were placed on the boards, which ore all that are .required by the works at present. It is ahticipated that no difficulty will be encountered in carrying on. ABLE TO CARRY OP( Per Press Association. WANGANUI. November 23. The call for labour at Imlay freezing works this, morning brought no response. A start will he made with free labour to-morrow morning. No trouble is anticipated, as plenty of free labour is offering to carry on the works. NO DEARTH OF MEN POSITION AT FKILPING. Per Press Association. - FJEELDING, November 23. The local freezing workers did not answer the call made for work at the Feilding works this morning. The men had been personally notified they were required, and some gathered near the works, but did not respond. The works wjll now proceed with voluntary labour, which is available in an embarrassing quantity.