Ring Slaughtering.

Wairarapa Times-Age, 24 January 1939, Page 4

Ring Slaughtering.

An attempt to end the ring system of slaughtering at the Westfield works, which was the subject of a recent dispute, is obviously sought by a new definition of the chain system embodied in claims for a Dominion award lodged by the New Zealand Freezing Works and Related Trades Association of Workers. The dispute will be heard in Conciliation Council on January 31. A clause relating to “chains” reads as follows: "The term chain slaughtering shall mean and include every system wherby the killing and dressing of sheep and lambs is carried out in a series of successive operations executed by a number of slaughtermen. each of whom is engaged on one of the operations of the series, whatever may be the form of the system or whatever may be introduced into it.” The claims for cue new award provide for a reduction of the weekly hours of work from 44 to 40, and for increases in wages of about 10 per cent.

Hostel at St Helens. i From the beginning of the university year next month, the old St Helens Hospital building in Queen Street. Dunedin, which has been shut down since the Queen Mary Maternity Hospital was opened, will be used as a hostel for students of the Home Science School. The Health Department has handed the building over to the University Council rent free for 10 years for use as a hostel, and as it is in reasonably good order, it •is anticipated that very little alteration will be required, although it will, of course, have to be refurnished. Accommodation will be provided for about 34 students, thus relieving the pressure on the two Studholme Houses, which wore pot able to cope with the demands made on them last year. Standing in beautiful grounds and on a particularly fine situation, St Helens should be particularly well suited to the purpose for which it is being adapted.