THE FREEZERS' DISPUTE.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 276, 20 November 1926, Page 11

THE FREEZERS' DISPUTE.

AUCKLAND AFFECTED. LOCAL SLAUGHTERMEN. IN SYMPATHY WITH HAWKE'S BAY. While it was expected that the slaughtermen in the Auckland province would fall in line with those in Hawke's Bay when the freezing companies made a call for men for export killing, it was not until yesterday that the companies had a direct intimation that Auckland would be affected. The workers, as mentioned in the "Star" yesterday, had a meeting on Tuesday to consijder the position, and after a long discussion it was decided to abide by any instructions issued by the Freezing Workers' Federation or the Alliance of Labour. The export killing season in Auckland has really not yet opened here, but yesterday a call was made by the Westfield Freezing Company, and work offered on expert stock. There was no response, which meant that the slaughtermen who usually do the killing for export at this time of the year had fallen into line with the slaughtermen at Hawke's Bay. Fortunately, the season is not yet in full swing, and a delay of a couple of weeks, which might lead to a settlement of the position, is, perhaps, not likely to cause serious loss. But, if the slaughtermen continue to keep out, then the matter will be most serious, because the companies affected will have no option but to call for free labour. The companies have no desire to take such a step until forced to do so. Again, the employing of free labour may lead to further developments, as the employees of the freezing works have decided to abide by any instructions issued by the federation, and it is possible the federation will call upon the permanent hands to cease work. If the present trouble should develop to such an extent then, of course, the position would be extremely serious. In a week or two, the influx of stock will have reached that stage when killing for export cannot further be delayed, and the companies wiil have no option but to employ free labour, unless the parties can satisfactorily settle the dispute. The principal works affected in Auckland district will be the Farmers, Southdown, Moerewa, and Fletcher Westfield works. These companies are anxious that there should be no disruption of the trade, and express the hope, in the interests of all sections of the community, that the trouble which has arisen, will 'be settled quickly and satisfactorily to all parties. There are separate awards' for the different industrial districts, but they are practically one Dominion award. This continues in force until June 30, 1927.