ABATTOIR CLOSED.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 62, Issue 87, 23 January 1942, Page 2

ABATTOIR CLOSED.

SEQUEL TO STOPPAGE OF WORK.

ACTION BY AUCKLAND COUNCIL. (P.A.) AUCKLAND, January 22. The abrupt closing down of the Auckland Municipal Abattoir at Westfield shortly before 11 a.nr. to-day because of labour troubles brought to a climax a long-standing dispute between the workers and the Auckland City Council, which controls the works. In consequence of this action, which representatives of the council declared to be unavoidable, city and suburban butchers will have to rely upon freezing works for their supplies or meat until some settlement is reached. The Minister for Agriculture (the Hon. J. G. Barclay) has authorised butchers to draj.v supplies from local freezing works. “The next move rests with the Government, which has been requested to declare the abattoir an essential industry under the National Service Emergency Regulations,” said Mr F. H. Ambler, convener of the public health committee of the City Council, tonight. “If that is done, and the Government will provide labour, the abattoir can resume operations. It is impossible to carry on under prevailing conditions.

The difficulty of securing and holding adequate labour had caused concern to the management for many months, continued Mr Ambler. The men were leaving for higher-paid jobs, and those remaining at the abattoir had sought an increase in the wages for labourers. That could not be conceded by the council, as the current award was only brought into ’ operation in May last year. There was a shortage of labourers and the management’s suggestions for adjustments of the staff had not been acceptable to the men. The dispute came to a head on Wednesday, when slaughtermen stopped killing at 2.30 p.m.. Stock was left over for killing for city trade, and it was obvious that output was being restricted. “We decided this could not continue and we asked the men for an assurance that they would work normal hours,” stated Mf® Ambler.

The workers held a stop-work meeting at 8 a.m. to-day, the union secretary (Mr W. E. Sill) being present. They agreed to resume work i unconditionally, and operations were begun at 9 a.m. A number of did not concur in tffe decision and seven left the works after giving an hour’s notice. The abattoir manager (Mr W. R. Rugg) advised the Mayor (Mr J. A. C. Allum) of the developments, and orders were given for the cessation of killing. The slaughtermen departed but the labourers continued for some hours in cleaning up. The executive of the Auckland Master Butchers’ Association was advised of the position and met to consider proposals for maintaining the city’s supply of meat. At its suggestion the Mayor communicated with the Minister for Agriculture, whose instructions to draw supplies from local freezing works were received in the afternoon.

“Each butcher will be responsible for obtaining his own supplies from various works,” stated Mr H. C. Bridges, president of the association. “There should not be any actual shortage, but it is doubtful if there will be sufficient fresh beef and mutton. No£ a great deal of those meats are being killed at the freezing works at present. Housewives may not be able to enjov their usual range of choice of meats.” There were Targe stocks of frozen meat available, added Mr Bridges, but New Zealanders were not partial to that class of meat, and it was not likely that supplies would be drawn by the butchers. Nothing had been deckled regarding the killing of stock bought by butchers at Wednesday’s fat stock sale and held over through the closing of the abattoir. .The stock had been turned out in the neighbouring paddocks in the meantime and some arrangements would probably have to be made to dispose of the smaller calves being held. City firms under a contract to supply meat for the armed forces were concerned when they learned that the killing of stock bought for that purpose had ceased. “We have gone into the position and supplies are ensured for immediate deliveries,” stated a representative of one contractor. “However, should the abattoir remain closed the question of having stock killed at other establishments would have to be considered. The City Council had some responsibility for butchers to have their meat handled through the municipal abattoir. When that avenue was closed it was obligatory on the controlling authorities to provide alternative facilities.”