Manawatu Daily Times A Preposterous Demand

Manawatu Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 3492, 30 October 1926, Page 8

Manawatu Daily Times A Preposterous Demand

That there should be a demand for increased wages in connection with the primary industries of the Dominion at thisparticular period is difficult to understand; but that there should be an implied threat of an industrial strike should these demands be refused is beyond all reason. Yet, judging from the activities of the Wellington Freezers’ Union as reported in yesterday’s “Times,” such appears actually to be the case. There is apparently a small body of m'en, sufficiently shortsighted to sacrifice the substance for the shadow by attempting to extract the last penny from an industry which is literally fighting with its back to the wall.

Put briefly, the Peilding branch of the Wellington Freezers’ Union (in conjunction with other branches), endorsed at its meeting on Thursday, the demands made by the Union representatives on behalf of the slaughtermen for an increase of wages of ten per cent for butchers and Id per hour for all other workers in the freezing industry. The men arc told to turn up to work when opening day arrives but only to resume work if the higher wages are granted. Should extreme measures become necessary, the conduct of a strike is to be handed over to the New Zealand Alliance of Labour.

Thate is where matters stand to-day in 6ne of our most important branches of primary production. In lk\vke’s Bay the killing season is to open on Monday; at Fcilding work is to commence on November 20th. The whole question will, therefore, be put to the test within forty-eight hours. It is almost certain that, notwithstanding an agreement between the union and the companies which remains in force till Juno, 1927, the unionist butchers will decline work at Hastings on Monday unless the increase is granted. It is equally certain that the freezing companies will refuse to grant the increase.

The threat lies in the decision to hand the conduct of the strike to the New Zealand Alliance of Labour. By doing so it is hoped to gain the passive—and if necessary the active support of the seamen, waterside workers and transporters. Neither in the interests of the men nor the primary producers is an industrial disturbance of such a nature desirable at this period. That it will prove a ghastly failure is a certainty—a fact plainly indicated by the conditions prevailing throughout the primary industries. Indeed, after experiencing a number of disastrous seasons, the union’s latest demands may be looked upon by the farmers as the straw to break the camel’s back.

The reason given by the union organiser at Feilding for a demand of increased wages is about the most ludicrous, trumpery and illogical argument one could place before a body of intelligent men. “During the war period,” said Mr. McLeod, “the producers received high prices for their produce and should be able to pay the freezers increased wages.” The insincerity of such a statement is apparent. It is not the illusory one-time prosperity of the farmers that caused the formulation of the present demands, but the ill-considered action of the Arbitration Gom’t in granting an increase to shearers solely on the index figures of the cost of living and without taking into consideration the general conditions of the industry.

It is still hoped that the common sense of the men will prevail over the professional advice of organisers who have little or nothing at stake. Many of the men engaged in freezing works are former farmers and farmers’ sons, and none should realise better ihc ineejuity of their demands. The need for a cheapening of the cost of primary production in New Zealand was never greater than it is to-day and not one sound argument can he advanced for increased wages. In fact, the workers are the only people who, so far, have not been asked to share and carry part of the burden which the general deflation imposes on every other section of the community,