PARTIES TO MEET

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 18601, 28 January 1926, Page 8

PARTIES TO MEET

THE FREEZING WORKS DISPUTE. COMPULSORY CONFERENCE. UNION MAKES NEW DEMANDS.

A new development occurred in the freezing works dispute yesterday. Mr W. H. Hagger, Conciliation Commissioner, summoned a compulsory conference between the parties, to take place to-morrow evening, commencing at 7.30.

The possibility of this development was suggested in Thursday's issue of "The Press." It was known that Mr Hagger had interested himself in the dispute. Ou Tuesday morning it was rumoured in the City that a fresh development would take place during the day, and at 3 p.m., on resumption of work after the "smoke-oh" interval at the works of the N.Z. Refrigerating Company, Ltd., at Islington, and T. Borthwick and Sons (Australasia), Ltd., at Belfast, the slaughtermen reduced the killing rate, without warning of any kind, to four per hour. None of the other works was affected by the go-slow, which was again operated at the two works mentioned yesterday morning. The Companies Approached. A meeting of the Union Executive was held on Tuesday evening, and tho outcome was a decjsion to forward the following communication to the Canterbury Frozen Meat Company, Ltd., the North Canterbury Shcepfarmers' Freezing Company, Ltd., the New Zealand Refrigerating Co., Ltd.; and T. Borthwick and Sons (Australasia), Ltd:— I am directed by the above union to approach your company with a view of making a joint applieatidn to the Arbitration Court to amend the existing award as follows: — That all clauses dealing with wages in the freezing workers' award be amended so as to allow for the following increases:—Hourly workers Id an hour, weekly and shift workers 4s a week, slaughtermen Is Cd a 100 on mutton and lamb. All other piecework rates 4 per cent, increase. (Sgd.) F. C. Ellis, Secretary. The effect of this decision by the union is to extend the dispute to all workers in the industry. Hitherto, only the slaughtermen's claims had' been pressed. By approaching the companies in this manner, the union has, for the first'time, officially identified itself with the dispute. Following upon,this development Mr Hagger issued a summons to both parties to attend a conference on Friday evening. Under tho Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act and its amendments, Conciliation Commissioners have been given this power. Tho Summons. The notice served on the companies and the union yesterday afternoon was in the following terms:—Under the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act, 1908, and its amendments. CANTERBURY INDUSTRIAL DISTRICT.

In the matter of a dispute between tho Canterbury freezing works employees and the Canterbury - freezing companies. Whereas a dispute has arisen between the parties to an award in respect of a request by the union for a joint application to be made toj the Court for a. variation of the awai)d to give effect to the Arbitration Court's pronouncement of September 15th, 1925: and whereas neither of the parties appears to be willing to make advances in respect of a further conference between the parties. Now, I, W. Hagger, Conciliation Commissioner, summon the representatives, of the parties to a conference, to be held in my offree, Government Buildings, on Friday evening, January 29th, 1926, at 7.30 o'clock. It is reported that tho additional demands of Id an hour increase for hourly workers and 4s a week for weekly and shift workers were first made at one of the South Canterbury woxks, some time later than the demand for a general increase for slaughtermen of 2s 6d per 100. ' Go-Slow Ceases.

Normal killings were resumed at tho two works affected at 1 p.m. yesterday, and for the remainder of the day the output was equal to that before the introduction of tho go-slow. Upon the subject of the men's action to-day, the secretary of the union, Mr P. C. Ellis, had nothing to say last evening, but it is scarcely likely that the men will prejudice ther case and jeopardise the conference by limiting the output. The union will appoint its representatives at tho conference at a meeting this evening. The Burnsido and Balclutha works opened on Tuesday with no sign, of any labour troubles. At Addington Market. Pat lamb buyers were not very active at the Addington market yesterday, the result being a drop in the prices for export stock.

STOCK SALE CANCELLED. Some 3000 or 4000 fat lainbs were entered for a special sale which was to have been held at Geraldine on Tuesday, but owing to the confusion at the freezing works the sale was abandoned (writes our correspondent). This is the second fat sale this year that has been cancelled, and there is a good deal of feeling in the district.

THE SHEEPOWNERS'. UNION

At a meeting of the Canterbury Sheepowners' Union yesterday a letter was received from the South Island Freezing Companies' Association with reference to the existing trouble being experienced at the various works. After a full discussion, the following resolution was unanimously carried": — "In view of the action of the slaughtermen in restricting killings at the works, this meeting urges on the Government the necessity for the enforcement of the provisions of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, and in the event of the union officials being unable to control their members, that either the Preference Clauses be abolished, or that the Act be suspended as it affects any industry the workers in which are covered bv an Award of the Court, and who, during the currency of such award, endeavour to hold up the industry concerned.' 1 The secretary was instructed to wire the same to the Government forthwith.

NO TROUBLE AT BURNSIDE. (special to "the press.") DUNEDIN, January 27. Work at the Burnside works of the New Zealand Refrigerating Company is proceeding without trouble of any kindt