BELFAST DISPUTE

Evening Star, Issue 23451, 16 December 1939, Page 12

BELFAST DISPUTE

MINISTER'S COMMENT ON COMPANY'S ATTITUDE PRODUCTION AN EMPIRE NECESSITY [Per United Press Association.] CHRISTCHURCH, December 16. The War Regulations have been invoked by the Minister of Labour, Mr Webb, in the Belfast freezing works dispute, which will now come before a National Disputes Committee. Instructions have .been given to proceed with the setting up of the disputes committee forthwith. The Minister added that he _ was very disappointed at the attitude taken by the company. Mr Webb met representatives of the company last night. With the object, he said, of expediting an early resumption of work, he wanted a mutual agreement to continue to work under present conditions until such time as the dispute could be dealt with. The men were agreeable to such a course. “ The Government takes a serious view of any stoppage of industry,” the Minister said, “ irrespective of whether it be by companies, employers, or workers. Never were we in greater need of close co-operation between all the agents in the field of production than at the present time.” Companies and men must realise that the rights of the country and Empire are paramount, and anybody who stands in the way of the expansion of our industries will receive no quarter as far as the Government Is concerned.