FREEZING DISPUTE

Greymouth Evening Star, 26 November 1926, Page 5

FREEZING DISPUTE

A COMPROMISE PROPOSAL. (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, November 26 As the result of a conference of representatives of the freezing works and farmers’ organisations yesterday, there has been an important development in the freezing works dispute. The conference, while confirming allegiance to the present award, decided to offer to join with the men in asking the Arbitration Court to issue a new award. The offer was made under condition that the men accepted work at once, and that all nonunion men should retain their positions. Following the conference, Mr. Milne, acting on behalf of the companies, forwarded the letter to Mr. Revell, Kaiapoi, Secretary of the New Zealand Freezing Works, and the Related Trades Industrial Association of Workers, stating the position as arrived at. WAIROA’S ATTITUDE. WAIROA, November 26. At a fairly representative meeting of the local Freezing Workers’ Union held last night, the members decided by a substantial majority, to support the Hawke’s Bay men. Consequently, no unionists will be available locally, when the works open next Wednesday. CANTERBURY REPORT. '(Special to “Star.”) CHRISTCHURCH, November 25. The possibility of men, who are ou>. of work and unable to secure em ployment of any kind, being forced by their economic circumstances to accept jobs as free labourers, when the freezing works open in Canterbury, was mentioned to a reperter by one of the leading unemployed this morning. “I would ■ not take on that sort of work myself,” the man told the reporter, “but it has to be recognised there are many fellows who are right up against it. They may be forced by hunger to take on jobs as volunteer workers in freezing works. When a man is hungry and sees his wife and family going without, food, he cannot always stick too loyally to union principles. I would not be surprised if a number of unemployed step into the positions of the freezing workers if there is a strike in Canterbury.” Meanwhile the organisation of volunteer labour in the event of a strike taking nl'ice is proceeding steadily in country districts. No meetings of unemployed wore held in the city to-day, but throughout the morning, a group of men assembled outside the Government buildings in Worcester Street, and liscussed the position informally. Only two registrations were received at the Government Labour Bureau up till noon. Two men were placed in private employment.