LABOUR WORLD

Grey River Argus, 13 May 1925, Page 8

LABOUR WORLD

TOKOMARU FREEZERS. ANTI-VICTIMISATION STRIKE. GTSBOBNE, May 12. The Inspector of Factories is proceeding against seventeen employees £or being parties to a strike. The case will be heard on June 9.. EMPLOYERS DENY VICTIMISATION. GISBORNE, May 12. An absolute denial of the allegations of victimisation of slaughtermen concerned in the Tokomaru Bay Freezing Works trouble was given this morning by the Chairman of Directors of the Gisborne Sheepfarmers’ Company, (Mr J. W.. Nolan). Work was available, he said, for the men as soon as they were prepared to take it. The position with regard to the man over whom the trouble arose was thaat for the past four or five years, he had been employed at Tokomaru works. Ho commenced work this year, then left on his own account to go to Waipaoa. After three weeks there he went to Wairoa, worked a short time, then returned to Tokomaru. In the meantime, another man had previously been engaged and started work a day or two after he had made application. No further men were required, and the man was not therefore given a job. The man approached his own comrades, and asked them to come out on strike, but they refused, and it was only after a visit by the Union secretary that they did so.,

THAMES FISHING STRIKE. THAMES, May 12., The fishing trouble is not yet settled. Information received to-day says that the Auckland merchants refuse to pay the higher price demanded, thus coining into line with the Thames companies; also that plenty of fish is available at Auckland. Two tons of fish landed here last night caused considerable demonstration at tho wharf, the police having to bo called in to prevent violence. It is alleged that intimidation is being used to prevent certain men going fishing.

SOUTH AFRICAN MINERS. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn.) CAPETOWN, May 11.. Th e General Council of South African Mine Workers’ Union has decided to take a strike ballot in connection with the report of Justice De Villiers, who acted as mediator at the Mines Conciliation Board, and who favoured the miners’ application for an increase of wages by twenty per , cent., retrospective to the beginning of last October. The mine owners are ■ opposed to granting the increase. Nonunionists will be allowed to partici- ' pate in th e ballot. Union, officials were also instructed to get . into touch with the engine drivers and consider the means for a reduction of workers’ unions with a view to forming a federation of white employees in the mining industry.