FREE LABOUR

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 6 October 1925, Page 5

FREE LABOUR

TO DEAL WITH STRIKE.

MANY offers of help. TARANAKI PREPARATIONS. The difficulty which has arisen in connection with the loading and shipping of exports for abroad has caused in the dairy industry great concern, and the. Federation of laranaki Co-operative Factories has made a definite move to overcome the difficulties by volunteer labour if the position continues as it is now. The reports of Saturday’s meeting of the federation show, that farmers are very much alive to the position, and determined to spare no effort in arranging to get produce away from the Dominion. The organisation necessary to secure and develop a scheme of volunteer labour for loading and manning ships is being rapidly and effectively pushed forward, and already the federation has received many answers to its application for help. Circulars have been sent out inviting offers of assistance, and messages forwarded to the Prime Minister, in common with all parts of the Dominion, urging that prompt action should be taken in guaranteeing the utmost assistance. CIRCULARS TO FACTORIES. The circular sent out to factories within the federation is as follows: — A public meeting of representatives of dairy companies, business interests, and the dairy industry generally was held on Saturday last to consider the serious situation which has arisen as the result of the interruption of the shipment of dairy produce. The meeting .was well attended, and was representative of the whole district. Resolutions were passed as follows:

1. That this meeting of representatives of Federated Dairy Companies, business interests, and the dairy industry generally supports the Government in its effort to effect a settlement of the seamen’s strike, and in the event of no settlement being reached undertakes to organise this district in support of whatever action the Government considers necessary to enable shipment of produce _ and the ordinary trade of the Dominion to be resumed. 2. That an explanatory circular letter and accompanying cards be sent to all Federated Factories with a view to finding out labour and motor transport available, such cards to he completed and returned to the federation as soon as possible, and that a circular letter he sent to Taranaki dairy factories outside the federation and to chambers of commerce, intimating the action proposed and inviting their co-operation. 3. That an organising committee be set up consisting of representatives from each dairy factory, representatives from chambers _of commerce and other organisations, such committee to have power to add to its numbers. 4. That it be left to the executive of the Federation of Taranaki Cooperative Dairy Factories to attend to the calling of meetings.

Arising out of resolution No. 2 above, I am posting you cards sufficient for the number of your suppliers in order that labour and motor transport available may be ascertained. The suggestion is that you see your chairman immediately and hand him the cards, asking him that he distribute them amongst your directors so that a canvass of the whole of your suppliers may he made. Th© directors should fill in and retain the cards when they interview the suppliers, and should not leave them with suppliers. Will you then keep in touch with the chairman and directors and see to the prompt collection and return of t/ie filled in cards to the above address? It is not desired to definitely. commit any supplier by the filling in of a card; the idea is to quickly get an estimate of the labour and motor transport available in case the prolongation of the strik© should make it necessary for the farmers to take a hand in the shipment of their own produce. It is still hoped this course will not be necessary, hut som© organisation should undoubtedly be undertaken. Arising out of resolution No. 3 above, I shall be glad if you will arrange for the appointment of the representatives of your company on the organising committee. Notification of meetings will be sent to you. It is hoped this letter makes the position quite clear, and the federation asks that you act without delay. In addition to the above circular, another has been forwarded to all other factories in Taranaki which reads similarly to the other, but instead of the clause .re enrolment cards the federation states that it assumes some such action is being taken in all districts, and that the advice is sent to advise them what is being done in South Taranaki. ENROLMENT CARDS. Cards have been issued asking for volunteer labour, on which all particulars are to be given showing what men offering are able to do, so that if necessary thev can be drafted out and organised. These cards specify: (a) Name and address of volunteer; (b) Work he is willing to undertake —(1) manning of ships, (2) loading ... of , steamer, (3). protection of work'ers; (d) (1) whether he will go overseas, (2) period for which available; (e) particulars of motor transport available—cars, lorries, etc.; (f) name of factory supplied or nearest; . (g) name of interviewing director. GENERAL COMMITTEE.

“At the headquarters of the federation arrangements are in train to set up a main committee for general organisation and control, and each factory is asked to nominate a representative for this committee. The intention is to cal la meeting at a very early date and proceed to organise at once. They realise that prompt action is esessential, and that the sooner the organisation is perfected the better able will they be to deal with any situation that may arise. FINANCIAL MATTERS. POSITION OF THE FACTOPIES. As was stated in the Star some days ago, the position of the dairy companies at the present does not call for any action that will be immediately hard on suppliers, owing to their being able to secure advances against store warrants. This means that, as before stated, it is understood the. full advance will probably be available for September pay-out, but that the procedure of the companies after this month depends altogether on the development of the trouble. If it continues there is no doubt advances) will be drastically reduced, and fanners and business' people, who will

alike be seriously affected, must realise the gravity of the situation. The position is relieved to some extent by the fact that so much of the output was sold to the Tooley Street merchants, the contract with them having a clause protecting sellers against any delay that may be caused by strikes. It is feared the position may not be so satisfactory for those factory companies which consigned, because th© ultimate realisation is a matter of uncertainty. In order that factories will work together in every respect and that coinpetition in the'-matter of pay-out shall be eliminated as far as is possible, the federation is taking action to discuss the matter thoroughly, investigate the position generally all over the district and send advice to all factories of the result of its deliberations. It is essential, especilaly at a time like the present, that a spirit of absolute cooperation should pervade the operations of the) industry.

IN OTHER PARTS. STRATFORD MEETING. Yesterday a big combined meeting of Cardiff and Ngaire Company directors was held in Stratford. The following resolution was unanimously carried : “That this meeting of the directors of the Ngaire and Cardiff co-operative dairy companies supports the Government in its efforts to effect a settlement of the seamen’s strike, and in the event of no settlement being reached, undertakes to organise this district in support of whatever action the Government considers necessary to enable shipments of produce and the ordinary trade of the Dominion to he resumed.”

Several speakers stressed the critical state with which the industry and the country generally was faced. Jt has been arranged that a big public meeting will be held in Stratford to-morrow and it is expected that practically all .chairmen and directors of dairy factory companies will bo present.

IN NORTH TARANAKI. STRONG SUPPORT TO GOVERNMENT. PRODUCERS URGED TO ASSIST. The Farmers’ Union executive in North Taranaki has .sent a telegram to the Prime Minister demanding immediate action ana giving oilers of volunteer help if required. Circulars similar to those issued in South Taranaki have been issued to dairy factories and to chambers of commerce in all districts, as well as cards asking for. assistance and detailing the work that can be done by volunteers offering. The union stresses the urgency of the call and the seriousness of the position for everyone. The need for each man to take a part in the struggle is made very plain. INDIVIDUAL HELP REQUIRED.' STRONG APPEAR BY FACTORY DIRECTORS. Ait .the meeting convened by the Ngaire, Cardiff and Lowgarth factories on Monday, the position was put very

plainly and forcibly by several speakeiMr. P. Thomson urged that the farmers had waited too long anil inclined to leave too much to the Government. He isjaid it was a matter that concerned every farmer and businessman, and therefore the time had arrived when they must do something to help themselves and so back up the action of the Government. Mr. J. B. Clemow, of Cardiff, urged that the Control Board should be urged to take stronger action and should be able to help very materially.

PARTIES IN CONFERENCE. WILL CONTINUE TO-DAY. CBY TELEGRAPH PRESS ASSOCIATION. WELLINGTON, Oet. 5. For over three hours the Prime Minister deliberated with the representatives of the shipowners and the seamen to-day, but no finality was reached and th© conference adjourned until 10.30 o’clock to-morrow morning.

Various phases of the situation were exhaustively discussed and it is understood i hut the representatives of the seamen raised a number of questions, such as food on the ships, etc.

The shipowners conferred for a time with the seamen’s representatives, hut when the meeting adjourned at (5.30 p.m. the Prime Minister stated that as no finality had been reached and the conference would resume deliberations in the morning, there could ho nothing for publication. He intimated that every effort was being made to probe every phase of the situation.

ANOTHER IDLE SHIP. TREVERBYN AT AUCKLAND AUCKLAND, Oct. 5.. The crew of the Treverbyn have joined the strikers. The vessel completed the discharge of the Auckland portion of her cargo from New York this morning and was ready to sail for Wellington. Owing to the crew refusing to take the ship to sea slie anchored in stream to await the settlement of the strike.

SUE VIC SLIPS AWAY MELBOURNE STRIKERS OUTWITTED. BY CABLE—PBESS ASSOCIATION—COPYBHIGT MELBOURNE, Oct. 5. In the early hours of the morning the White Star liner Suevic sailed for Sydney. Preparations for departure were secret and completely surprised the strikers, who are puzzled. As sixteen men of the stokehold complement joined the strikers, the strikers thought the vessel was thus tied up. Their only hope now is that the watersiders will declare the vessel ‘ ‘ black ’ ’ on arrival at Sydney.