HOLD-UP CONTINUES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 4 July 1939, Page 6

HOLD-UP CONTINUES

AT AUCKLAND FERTILISER WORKS. NEGOTIATIONS SUSPENDED. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) AUCKLAND, July 3. No change has taken place in the situation between the employers and workers at the chemical manure works inOtahuhu, Westfield, and Te Papapa, where a strike has been in progress for a week. There are no negotiations between the parties, the situation having resolved itself into a trial of strength. The workers engaged in the strike held meetings early this morning outside the works of the Challenge Phosphate Company. Ltd., Otahuhu, Kemptorne Prosser and Company’s works, Westfield, and the New Zealand Farmers’ Fertilizer Company’s works, To Papapa. Proceedings appeared to bo informal and they were very short. At one the remark was made, “We will meet next Monday.”

No further statement is forthcoming from the employers, who are believed to have discussed the position today. The employers’ attitude appears to be that the next step must come from the union.

In the meantime acid plants arc being kept going at the Challenge company’s works, Otahuhu, by the permanent staff, but this condition does not apply at the other works affected by the strike. It would take some considerable time to get the acid plants in operation at the other works after any decision was made to resume.