KILLING CHAIN IDLE

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 195, 15 May 1941, Page 13

KILLING CHAIN IDLE

Hold-up At Belfast Freezing Works

(By Telegraph—Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, May 14.

As tbe result of a dispute at the Belfast works of Messrs. Thomas Borthwick and Sons, Ltd., the killing chain became idle yesterday, and this morning the company reported that there was no change in the situation. Killing was stopped when the men declined to accept the company's nominees to fill the chair.

During the morning an officer of the Labour Department visited the works to make inquiries. A number of the men concerned reported at the works this morning, but there were not sufficient for'anything to be done. A later message says that no work was done today on the slaughtering chain, and it is unlikely that work will be resumed tomorrow. A call for free labour by tbe company met with no response today. Union delegates visited the works before the starting hour, but no -picketing” to prevent any intending applicants to the comjiany’s advertisement for experienced slaughtermen was apparent later in the day.

"We are not retracting,” the company's spokesman said tonight. "Me eannot accepted the unreasonable terms of the men.”

Inquiries were made at the works and also in tbe city by 'investigators for the Labour Department, and the district officer, Mr. 11. T. Bailey, later communicated with Hie Minister of Labour, Mr. Webb. No statement was issued giving’the attitude of thc Government or the department. Mr. Webb will be back in Wellington tomorrow, as he returned by tonight’s boat from Nelson after his West Coast visit. Work on cleaning-up was carried out normally at Belfast today, but unless an early settlement of the dispute is reached, additional workers will become unemployed. Stock was available in the company's paddocks for killing, and though further deliveries have been stopiied buying negotiations are proceeding by the company’s agents.