Belfast Stoppage, Minister Orders Disputes Committee

Northern Advocate, 16 December 1939, Page 7

Belfast Stoppage, Minister Orders Disputes Committee

[Per Press Association. — Copyright] CHRISTCHURCH, This Day.

Regulations have been invoked by the Minister for Labour (Mr. Webb) in the Belfast freezing works dispute, which will now come before the National Disputes Committee. Instructions have been given to proceed with the setting up of a disputes committee forthwith. Mr. Webb said he was very disappointed at the attitude taken up by the company. Company’s Attitude Disappoints.

Mr. Webb met representatives of the company last night with the object, he said, of expediting the early resumption of work. He wanted a mutual agreement to continue work under present conditions until such time as the dispute could be dealt with.

The men were agreeable to such a course.

“The Government takes a serious view of any stoppage of industry,’ Mr. Webb said, “irrespective of whether it be by the companies, employers dr workers. Need For Co-operation.

“Never were we in greater need for closest co-operation between all agents in the field of production than at the present time, but the companies and the men must realise that the rights of the country and the Empire are paramount.

“Anyone who stands in the way of the expansion of our industries, will receive no quarter as far as the Government is concerned.”