FREEZING CRISIS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 50, Issue 154, 11 April 1930, Page 6

FREEZING CRISIS

ISLINGTON MEN IDLE. NO WORK THIS MORNING. FAIRFIEIXP STILL OPERATING. (Special to the “Guardian.”) CHRISTCHURCH, This Day. The slaughtermen at Islington suspended work at 9 o’clock this morning, and had not resumed at 1 o’clock. FAIRFIELD POSITION. WORK AS USUAL TO-DAY. THE FARMERS’ POINT OF VIEW.

There are no outward signs that further complications have arisen at the Fairfield Freezing Works so far in connection wit!h» the trouble in South Otago. Meetings have been held at the works, but the decisions have not been made known. It is anticipated, however, that work will not be _ interrupted, and a definite finding is expected to-day. Killing as carried out satisfactorily this morning. Little trouble ha.s ever been experienced at Fairfield, so far as cessation of work or the “go-slow” policy is concerned. Should the slaughtermen “go out,” the associated labourers, who are members of the Union, would probably sympathise with their action; but in view of the conditions with regard to unemployment, the labourers, who form the bulk of the freezing works employees, will be loath to take such a step. The majority of works have been congested for some weeks. The dry weather has curtailed the supply of feed, and fat lambs have been forwarded to the_work&_in large numbers. In many cases farmers have been holding their lambs on a scanty supply of feed awaiting an opportunity to pass them into the works. Should a stoppage occur, the killing before Easter would be curtailed! by about 12,000, and with a break of several days at Easter the farmer who lias lines awaiting killing, and who has little food, would be in an unenviable position, and it would be a matter of weeks before killing became normal, and the lines waiting consumed at the works. The rain to-day should improve feed slightly. The condition and quality of lamb arid mutton would suffer, and it is estimated that farmers, would receive up to 5s per head less than if operations were carried out without a hitch. Should killing be suspended for a short period only, present conditions would suffer little, as there is still sufficient to permit of killing for about a week. A sheep farmer, in conversation with a representative of the “Guardian” today, said: “The slaughtermen who go on strike are taking an unreasonable attitude. They are in the position to help the farmer, but when something trivial they go on strike, become unemployed, and then come asking the 'farmer for work. This will place an additional burden on the farmer, who is already faced! with super-taxes, redemption of mortgages, and reduced prices for fat lambs, butter and wool.” NEW FORM OF “GO-SLOW.” FREQUENT STOP-WORK MEETINGS. DUNEDIN, This Day. The freezing works trouble developed a new angle at Burnside to-dav three stop-work meetings being sandwiched between the killings—another form of ‘ ‘go-slow’ ’ • tactics. • Nevertheless, it is reported that only 34 of the 250 men employed are showing sympathy with the Finegand strikers. , If drastic action is taken no difficulty is anticipated in finding labour. The-strikers ot Finegand are giving no trouble. The volunteers killed 1300 sheep yesterday.