BAD KILLING SEASON

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 24, 29 January 1923, Page 8

BAD KILLING SEASON

WORST FOR YEARS

FREEZING WORKERS SUFFER.

Conditions in .the freezing industry this season—at tny rate, so far as the workers are concerned—are reported to be the worst ..experienced for many years. The secretary, of the Wellington Freezing Workers' Union (Mr. M'Leod), who has just returned after a tour of the province, stated this morning that wherever he went he found that the men were working less than half-time. A good start was made on the season at the usual time shortly before Christmas, Aut latterly, he said, conditions had become bad both for the workers and for the : farmers. ThuVwas due to a combination of circumstances, including the fact that the weather had been unfavourable, and it was in no way the fault of the men, who were willing to make the most'they could out of the teason while it lasted. At the present time they were working, as a general.rule, only two or two- and) a half days a week January was usually about the busiest part of the season, when all works were Vanning at full capacity, and all hands were engaged. The stagnation applied particularly ito the North Island, for the season was not yet in full swing in $is Southland so far as he had been able to gather, every shed in the Wellington province was affected. ■.-'■.,.-•• "It is the poorest season we have had for quite a number of years, so far as the men's earnings are concerned," declared Mr. M'Leod. "The recent rains have mads conditions very awkward. The consistently rainy weather has had the effect of scouring the stock, which is not coming on properly. The lambs I have seen lulled this season have been very light."

Mr. M'Leod's remarks were endorsed by Mr. F. J. Nin.ll, secretary of .the Freezing Workers' .Union.