More Serious Aspect in Freezing Works Trouble

Manawatu Times, Volume 69, Issue 128, 2 June 1944, Page 5

More Serious Aspect in Freezing Works Trouble

(Per Press Association.) AUCKLAND, June 1. With the beef shacklers at the Westfield freezing workß rejecting the offer of the employers in reply to their demand for increased wages and the subsequent negotiations to-day ending in a deadlock, the dispute has assumed a more serious aspect. The beef slaughtering floor on which about 80 butchers and labourers are normally employed was idle for the third successive day and the company made arrangements to turn out to the paddocks 1500 cattle which had accumulated in the stock pens. Repercussions of the dispute are stated to have occurred at the Horotiu and Southdown works of the Auckland Farmers’ Freezing Company Limited where it is said the beef butchers have refused to slaughter and handle any cattle on behalf of W. and R. Fletcher Limited, owners of the Westfield works. Btock from that company is normally handled at Horotiu and Southdown throughout the season and there is said to be no suggestion that stock carried oyer from the Westfield dispute is being, diverted to these establishments.

Rail Restrictions Must Stay “There is no possible chance of lift ling the railway restrictions at the present time,*’ said the Minister of Railways (Hon. R. Semple) in Auckland yesterday. “They must remain on until the coal position eases.’ 1