UNION REMITS

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 368, 24 February 1937, Page 6

UNION REMITS

Farmers Protest Against Stay-in Strike.

Press Association—Copyright. Wellington, To-day

Strong comment on the Government’s handling of the' Auckland freezing workers’ "stay-in” strike was expressed at a meeting of the Dominion executive of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union, held in Wellington yesterday. A supplied report of the meeting states that delegates, who were present from all parts of New Zealand, referred to the very serious disturbance caused in the minds of farmers because of the Government ordering the police not to interfere, and the subsequent direction by the Minister of Labour, Hon. H. T. Armstrong, for an increase of wages above that determined by the Arbi tration Court. It iVas felt by the executive that unions had been encouraged by tho Government in their demands', and that they would pursue similar action whenever a. union was dissatisfied with either wages, hours or conditions.

The following resolutions were unanimously adopted:—

"(1) That this executive expresses an emphatic protest against the action of the Government in condoning the action of the Auckland freezing workers in flouting the provisions of the Arbitration Court, and in breaking the law by illegally occupying the freezing works; and, further, thit this executive emphatically protests against the arbitrary action of the Minister of Labour in giving way to the demands of the workers in directing the employers to pay a higher rate than, that .laid down by the Arbitration Court.”—dtago. (2) That we protest against the freezing workers going on strike in face of the Arbitration Court award then existing. That the Minister of Labour, having taken it upon himseli to override the Arbitration Court award, the additional cost involved be met out of the Consolidated Fund or else by payment to the farmers of an increased price to compensate them'” —Auckland.

“(3) That the Dominion executive convene a conference of nepresentatives of all primary producers’ or ganisations and concerns engaged in the processing of primary produce fbr export to consider the situation ere ated by the result of the recent, illegal strike by the- freezing workers in Auckland, and what steps can be taken to meet a future emergency.” —Auckland.