A CLIMAX.

Manawatu Times, Volume XLII, Issue 1742, 18 February 1921, Page 5

A CLIMAX.

ON WELLINGTON AVATERFRONT. LOCKOUT INEVITABLE. (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Last night. A climax was reached on the waterfront to-day, where further refusals were made by nvembers of the Waterside Worksrs' Union to work overtime last evening. The men employed on the vessels Durham. Karon and Ngakuta weie addressed this morning by Mr Bennett, secretary of the Waterside Labour Employment Association. He pointed out that the local union had denied knowledge of concerted action. The employers on the other hand were absolutely convinced that the men were acting on a concerted plan. He explained that unless the men resumed overtime at 5 o'clock that evening no further engagements would be made till assurances were received that irritation tactics would be discontinued.

After 10 minutes' deliberation, the men announced their decision not to work after five o'clock.

FREEZLNG WORKS CLOSED ON "GO-SLOWERS." (Per Pross Association.) • . GISBORNE, Last Night. Owing to the adoption of the "go slow" policy by the butchers in its employ the Poverty Bay Farmers' Meat Company closed their freezing works and paid off a large number of hand's. A director of the company stated to a "Times" reporter that the mutton output had decreased from 3200 carcases on Monday to 900 on Tuesday. The "go slow" policy, was adopted by the mutton butchers with a view to compelling the company to pay a bonus of 5/- per hundred sheep.. The bonus, it was stated, had been paid by another freezing works on account of its isolation and the difficulty of obtaining butchers. The beef butchers are quite prepared to continue work at present rates.

NO OVERTIME AT AUCKLAND. AUCKLAND, Last Night. No overtime was worked on the Auckland wharves to-night, as the men attended a meeting to hear Mr Glover, of the Waterslders* Federation, outline the constitution of the New Zealand Alliance of Labour. On account of the trouble which has arisen at the waterfront, the Minister of Labour decided to temporarily abandon his Southern trip, at least so far as Christchurch is concerned.