FREE LABOUR ENGAGED

Hawera Star, Volume LII, 20 October 1932, Page 7

FREE LABOUR ENGAGED

i Freezing Works Dispute POSITION AT WAITARA Unionists Refuse Offer PATEA SITUATION UNCHANGED MEN EMPLOYED AT MASTERTON. Following the refusal of unionists this morning to accept work under the conditions and rates offered by the employers some days ago, free labour was engaged at the Waitara freezing works to-day and killing is proceeding. Yesterday tlie unionists were approached individually and were! offered work under the employers’ conditions, announced earlier in the week, on condition that they presented themselves at the works by 8 o’clock. It was then stated that if tlie required number was not offering free labour would be engaged. Tlie unionists’ refusal to work was not unexpected and yesterday a union official advised that no union labour would he offered. The manager of the works at Waitara, Mr. P. J. Allen, stated that the firm would be calling for free labour in all departments in which the men have struck. Killing at the works is being proceeded with by the .skilled staff. The workers held an important meeting this morning to which the Press was not admitted. A long meeting resulted from 10 to 12 o’clock when a decision to adhere to tlieir present resolution not to resume work was made.

The union president, Mr. T. B. Ewe ns, states that firemen and greasers had been called on earlier in the week to see if they would work under the new conditions and were given un till 8 o’clock this morning to reply. They all refused. In the meantime they are continuing work so long as no free labour comes amongst them.

At the Patea, works the position is unchanged and killing has in. the meantime been suspended. The position at the Ngahauranga and Pet-one freezing works was unchanged to-day, states a Wellington Press Association message. It is stated that no further trouble has been experienced and no difficulty is being found in running the. works. An assurance has been given that the city abattoirs will he able to maintain the supply of meat for local requirements. The question of the attitude of the Freezing Workers’ Union towards the killing of meat at the abattoirs which ordinarily would be carried out by the companies for local consumption had been raised eon sequent upon an allegation that several of tho abattoirs employees had been approached on behalf of the union. Mr. McLeod, secretary of the New Zealand Freezing Workers’ Federation stated to-day that ho was unaware of any attempt having been made, on behalf of the local union, to influenceabattoirs employees and men at the abattoirs not members of the union, which was not concerned in any way with what was done there, states a Wellington message. There is no change in the freezing works position, which is now partly dependent on the attitude the watersiders adopt towards tho produce handled by free labour in freezing works or in cool stores,, states an Auckland Press Association message. A call was made to-day for free labour for the Waingawa works, states a Mnsterton message. A number of men were engaged. A certain amount of picketing was carried out, hut there was no interference with the 1 free labour.