HAWKES BAY FREEZING WORKS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 29 October 1926, Page 6

HAWKES BAY FREEZING WORKS

THREATENED HOLD UR (Dulta'l Pram AsaooUMon.) NAPt-ER. 23th Oct. Interviewed, this morning regarding attitude to unionist Imtellers, who in the event of the threatened hold-up occurring may be prepared to start killing on Monday, in spile of orders in the contrary from their union, the managers of I lie three local works slated that the companies have no intimation from the union that the men do not intend to commence work, although it is common knowledge that as the result of a meeting they have determined not to. If this is so, the companies desire to make it emphatically clear Hint the resulting loss and trouble is in no sense of their making. There is a contract, partly completed, which the men have already observed for two years, ami it was agreed that this contract should remain in force until next dune. It- is suggested that, the men now propose to break it. They requested that the contract should he set aside, and that they should get a 10 per cent, increase in wages. The Freezing Works' Association was unable to consent, and that decision was endorsed hv the local companies. While always willing tw give the utmost consideration to legitimate grievances of the men, it is agreed that in this case there is a contract, and it should he kept. Since the slump there has never been a more inopportune time, as far as the producers are concerned, to make a demand for increased wages. East, year the farmers faced wretchedly had markets, and in llawkes Ray the drought, which caused them losses of many scores of thousands of pounds. To-day they are confronted still with had markets, and another drought, which promises to make the season even more disastrous Ilian last season. It is safe to say tluil the producers generally must lie prepared to make ends meet, with probably 50 per cent, less income than they had two years ago, yet they do not suggest that the freezing workers’ income should he reduced. The freezing companies do not suggest any reduction. They know there is the men’s point of view to he taken into account, and that in these times the men as well as the farmers have their difficulties, hut they do not agree that in the circumstances the slightest justification can he found for an increase, and they stand by the decision of the unsocial ion.

Every man’s place will he open lor him next .Monday. If the men decide not to work that is their business, but if the decision is forced upon them, then, much as they will, regret it. the companies will he compelled to make other arrangements. In such case the companies will most decidedly extend every consideration in their power to those who are prepared lo commence at the award rates.