FREEZING WORKS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21582, 8 December 1944, Page 6

FREEZING WORKS

SHORTAGE OF STAFF HAWKE’S BAY POSITION “SCRATCHING* THROUGH” (P.A.) WELLINGTON; Dec. 8. Though the shortage of labour in the freezing works in the Auckland district' has been described as desperate, the shme position does not apply around Wellington, it was learnt today, because the season is not so far advanced. A certain amount, of killing is taking place, but the killings are not expected to bo in full swing until just before the holidays. The Tomoana and Whakatu freezing works in Hawke's 'Bay, where .the season is earlier than in Wellington, were stated to be “scratching through' though short of men. The recent cold weather, it. was said, had made a difference, the lambs not having developed, as rapidly as expected and in consequence not coming forward in the usual numbers. The extension of the basic weight from 361 b. to 421 b. it was suggested, also had induced farmers to hold on to their lambs until (hey were heavier. Jt was quite expected that there would bo some little difficulty in getting all the labour required for the freezing works, said the assistant controller 'of. map-power, Mr, 11. Parsonage. The season was just taking up and it was hard to predict the actual requirements. In the WellingtonHutt area there were going to be difficulties and 1 it was not going to be easy to get all the labour asked for. In the off-season the freezing works throughout the Dominion employed between 4000 and 5000 men, but at the oeak of the season the total might exceed 13,000. That meant that some 9000 men, all in fairly essential jobs, had to be diverted to the freezing works, involving a good deal of work for the department. Every possible step was being taken tq meet the position and while in Auckland things were beginning to get fairly tight the works there should.make out.all right. Generally speaking, sakFMr. Parsonage. the Hawke’s Bay positjori was fairly satisfactory. There whs a manpower shortage to some extent, but the position was not desperate. There had been no report regarding the position in Gisborne and in the absence of advice to the contrary it was assumed that the position there was satisfactory, Because of the importance of the freezing industry the department was in. constant touch with all the man: pdwer officer's to ensure . that, steps were taken to have the freezing works adequately staffed.