FREEZING WORKS DISPUTE

Taranaki Daily News, 20 November 1926, Page 13

FREEZING WORKS DISPUTE

SUPPORT FOR HASTINGS MEN. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Auckland. Nov. 19. A meeting of Auckland freezing works employees discussed the Hastings dispute and resolved to carry out any instructions issued by the Federation of Freezing Workers or by the Alliance of Labour. Wellington, Nov. 19. A combined meeting of the employees of the Gear Meat Company, and the Wellington Meat Export Company, held at Petone last night, carried a resolution endorsing the action of the Hawke’s Bay men in the freezing workers dispute by a substantial majority. MT. McLeod, secretary of the Wellington District Freezing Workers’ Union, stated to-day that the freezing workers at Batea,. Jmlay, Castleteliff, Feilding and Longburu. had also endorsed the attitude. . Gisborne, Last Night. At a meeting of the Poverty Bay Freezers’ Union to-night, 240 being present, the following resolution was carried: "That this meeting supports the action taken by the Hawke's Bay members in the present dispute. NO WORK DONE AT 'WESTFIELD. Auckland, Last Night. Work on export stock was offered to the slaughtermen at the Westfield Freezing Company’s works this morning, the men having been notified beforehand, but no response w'as forthcoming. In a statement issued during the day representatives of" the Westfield Freezing Company and the Auckland Farmers’ Freezing Company said the local companies would be compelled to take steps to provide other labour for the treatment of export stock.

The action of the men is the outcome of a meeting, held a few days ago, of the members of the local slaughtermen's union, when it was-decided to abide by any instructions issued by the Freezing Workers’ Federation or by the Alliance of Labour. ■ Evidently instructions have been received and hence the action of the men. It is understood that no definite action will be taken by the local companies to engage free labour . until the influx of stock renders the ’ position acute. About 300 men will be involved if trouble develops, increasing to 700 at the peak of the season. FEILDING MEN CEASE WORK. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Feilding, Nov. 18. The permanent men employed at the Feilding freezing works were ordered by their union 11 - this morning to ceasework, and they did so. These men were pigparing for the opening of the season.