FARMERS' PROTEST.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 47, 25 February 1937, Page 11

FARMERS' PROTEST.

FREEZING SETTLEMENT. CONFERENCE OF PRODUCERS. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, Wednesday. Strong condemnation of the Government's handling of the Auckland freezing workers' stay-in dispute was expressed at a meeting of the Dominion executive of the New Zealand Farmers' Union, held in Wellington yesterday, and the following resolutions were unanimously adopted:—

(1) That thia executive expresses an emphatic protest against the action of the Government in condoning the action of the Auckland freezing workers in flouting the provisions of the Arbitration Court and in breaking the law by illegally occupying the freezing works; and, further, that this executive emphatically protests against the arbitrary action of the Minister of Labour in giving way to the demands of the workers in directing the employers to pay a higher wage than laid down by the Arbitration Court (Otago). (2) That w e protest against the freezing workers going on strike in face of the Arbitration Court award then existing; that, the Minister of Labour having taken upon himself to over-ride the Arbitration Court award, the additional cost involved be met out of the Consolidated Fund, or else by the payment to the farmers of an increased price to compensate them. (Auckland). (3) That + he Dominion executive convene a conference of representatives of all primary producers' organisations and concerns engaged in the processing of primary produce for export, to consider the situation created by the result of the recent illegal strike by the freezing workers in Auckland, and what steps can be taken to meet a future emergency. (Auckland).