Work despite threats

Press, Volume CXIII, Issue 33419, 28 December 1973, Page 2

Work despite threats

f (New Zealand Pres* A»*oeiation> ' ~ _ ’W TAURANGA, December 27. Mount Maunganui watersiders were preparing today to load sheep aboard the Iranian ship Farid Fares, in spite of threats that the work would be disrupted.

The Farid Fares berthed about 10 a.m. to load 32,000 sheep which will be taken to Iran for slaughter. Loading will begin tomorrow morning. A similar shipment from Napier and Tirnaru several weeks ago caused an outcry when watersiders alleged ■that the Arab crew were beiing cruel to the animals. The secretary of the Mount Maunganui Waterside Work|ers’ Union (Mr G, T. Brenjnan) said today that the (union had been petitioned |and threatened over the shipiment in the last week. “We have been threatened

with pickets, demonstrations and disruptions on the wharf. We expect trouble, but our men are all ready to load the sheep.”

He said he expected the ship to be loaded in three days and a half with the help of night work.

A manning scale for the Farid Fares had been negotiated with the Mount Maunganui stevedores last week. The Ministry of Agriculture had agreed to have six veterinarians on duty throughout the loading. “There will be enough watersiders and veterinarians around the ship to make sure there is no cruelty,” Mr Brennan said

Mrs A. K. Jacques, of Palmerston North, secretary of the Anti-Cruelty Society, a world-wide organisation, asked the union to sign to a petition to Parliament seeking legislation to prohibit the export of livestock overseas for slaughter.

Mr Brennan said the society wanted the union to ban the shipment.