Disputes A ‘Scourge’

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32301, 20 May 1970, Page 30

Disputes A ‘Scourge ’

(N.Z. Press Association)

AUCKLAND, May 19. Recent freezing works disputes had been the most nauseous scourge affecting this industry in a decade, the chairman of the meat and wool section of Federated Farmers (Mr D. W. Middleton) said today.

In his annual report, he criticised “irresponsibile ! unionists,” management “un-

able or unwilling to act effectively,” and “apparent complacency” by the Government. “We have witnessed this season the insidious power of trade unionism, when, with complete neglect for humanitarian principles, complete failure to honour agreements

and an irresponsible disregard for the economic and financial effect of their action, they abused their privileges and responsibilities to the extent that industrial strife had become a malady of our society.” Although managements had not acted effectively, profits seemed unimpaired, he said. The Government, with apparent complacency, had ignored the provisions of the I.C. and A. Act, and had “played it softly while a calamitous situation developed.” Record export beef prices had been tempered by the serious decline in other prices. Receipts at auction had gone down by 13.1 per cent up to April, compared with the previous season. The situation warranted an urgent reappraisal of Federated Farmers’ attitudes to marketing reforms. Mr Middleton also called for a “sorting out” of attitudes to new freezing works.

He added later that the Government had been asked to take strong action on freezing industry disputes for at least three years. It would been imprudent to force a confrontation which copld have closed the industry during the drought, but action should have been taken by the Government 12 to 18 months ago. The Auckland Federated Farmers president (Mr W. R. Martin) said he had felt that confrontation might be necessary but opinion had been divided in the national executive. Solidarity, unfortunately, was lacking in farmers’ ranks. Until they achieved unity they could not get anywhere.