FREEZING INDUSTRY.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 6 November 1926, Page 10

FREEZING INDUSTRY.

HAWKE’S BAY DISPUTE.

ADDRESS BY MR J. ROBERTS

(BY TKTiBGKAPH PRESS ASSOCIATION.) NAPIER, Nov. 5. Mr .Tames Roberts, of the Alliance of Labour, is reported to have told the freezing workers in Hastings last night that “every province in New Zealand is watching* what your conduct on Mmday will be. and your comrades in Australia will be with you too.” Mr Roberts went on to promise his listeners that not. only would members of kindred unions throughout New Zealand support the local union in whatever action it might take, but also that the miners of New Zealand, other workers and certain trades unions in Australia would be prepared to act in sym pathy with their fellow unionists here. “And they will be just as successful as you will be if you stick to your demands, ’ ’ said Mr Roberts.

Other parts of his speech hinted at the Alliance’s wish that the local union should sustain its present decision not to work, so that other branches and other labour unions might join in to make a somewhat extensive movement. Unionists here have been told that they are liable to a penalty up to £lO if they act in a manner contrary to a decision of the union. The rules of the union, however, do not in any way substantiate this. Ln any case, the legql opinion is that the meeting at which the decision not to start work was reached, was' quite irregular according to the union’s rules, so that any attempt by officials to impose a penalty for disobedience of a decision irregularly arrived at could not be sustained* legally. Knowledge of this fact strengthens the determination of the majority to commence work on Monday when called upon.