Work to Resume At Freezing Works

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 286, 2 December 1938, Page 6

Work to Resume At Freezing Works

SECRET BALLOT UNNECESSARY Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, Last Night. As a result of a decision reached at a mass meeting this morning the majority of tho 800 Westfield Freezing Works’ employees, who have been idle since Monday, resumed work at one o ’clock this afternoon. Butchers and boners will not start until to-morrow morning, since all that those resuming this afternoon are required to do is in connection with preliminary operations. Contrary to expectations the decision was not made by secret ballot but in open meeting. It was considered that a ballot was unnecessary. The meeting lasted about half an hour. A telegram was received from the Prime Minister expressing willingness to assist in facilitating the hearing of the dispute by constitutional means. This was received enthusiastically. The next step in connection with the dispute will be the lodging with the Arbitration Court of an appeal against the decision of Mr. A.' J. Gilmour, Industrial Magistrate, on the disputed clause in the award, which says that not more than 35 workers shall bo employed on any one chain. The application will be lodged in Wellington by the New Zealand Freezing Workers’ Association. The Court will probably be asked to exercise its powers in remedying any defect which it may find in the award.

Apparently the good feeling of the meeting, which was held at the Trades Hall, had much to do with the fact that a secret ballot was not taken. Officials of the union explained afterwards that had certain circumstances existed a secret ballot might have been essential but it so happened that not a single request was heard for it this morning. “I do not think tho atmosphere of the meeting could have been more harmonious,” said the union secretary, Mr. Sill, after the executive had reported to him on developments. “There was no sign of any ill-feeling between sections of tho workers and, although at I first a few seemed to think a premature step had been taken, the decision to resume was practically unanimous. ” The meeting was rounded off with a brief session of community singing of such songs as “Pack Up Your Troubles” and “Rainbow on the River."’ The meeting also carried a resolution of continued confidence in the executive members and secretary of tho union.