FREEZING INDUSTRY

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXII, 1 February 1939, Page 4

FREEZING INDUSTRY

HEARING OF DISPUTE LITTLE PROGRESS MADE (United Press Association) WELLINGTON, This Day. No agreement was reached on major matters in the Dominion freezing workers’ dispute which was considered before Mr M. J. Reardon, Conciliation Commissioner, in Wellington, yesterday. Little progress was made on the claims and counter-claims, argument centring mainly on costs and the chain or ring system Mr C. G. Wilkin (Christchurch) appeared as agent for the employers, and Mr W. E. Sill (Auckland) for the employees. The workers sought a 40-hour week as against the existing 44-hour week Rates of pay asked for were as follows, the employers’ counter-proposals being given in parentheses: Chain slaughtering, sheep and lambs. 4s an hour, the rate to be paid till a chain or ring was capable of earning the equivalent of 4s an hour at piece-work rates (3s an hour and 3s); piecework rates, sheep £2 10s (£2 sc), lambs £2 10s (£2 2s 6d) lambs over 421 b £2 12s, show sheep and lambs £2 10s a 100 (£2 11s). INCREASE OF 74 PER CENT.

Reference to the mounting total of costs and the inability of the industry to meet these was made by Mr H. S E Turner (Christchurch), one of the assessors for the employers. The total wages cost to the industry in 1935-30 was £1,314.180 In 1936-37. £391.020 had been added to 'he cost, bringing the total to £1,705.200 In 1937-38. £190.040 more had been added, the total yearly cost at that stage being £1.899.240. The total increased cost in two years wa5£585.060, £585.060, or 44 per cent. The increased demands which the workers were now making would amount to £399,000 a year, or an additional 21 per cent, said Mr Turner This would bring the total cost to £2,298.240. The increases over the past two years, together with the present demands, would amount to £984.060. or 74 per cent, over the 1935-36 figure. Mr Turner contended that the position of the primary producer was becoming more serious. The farmer could not stand any additional costs, and the employers could not see their way clear to concede anything additional to the workers unless they were conceded something in return. COMMISSIONERS COMMENT Remarking that he did not feel there was any need to shed tears over the misfortunes of the farmers, the conciliation commissioner said that the figures quoted by Mr Turner sounded rather fearsome when stated by themselves but it had to be borne in mind that the export meat industry was worth between £12.000.000 and £14.000.000 annually, in addition to which there were Bide lines which were of considerable value. His own opinion was that farmers were doing fairly well. even though they were eloquent on their own misfortunes. They had received sub-

stantial consideration from the Government, and he doubted whether any of them had shown much gratitude. “I agree with Mr Reardon that apparently the farmer has been able to stand it,” said Mr Sill. He had heard Mr Turner make similar remarks at practically every freezing dispute. Since 1919 the employers had never swerved from that policy. Probably the best course would be to send the wages issue to the Court of Arbitration. The attitude bf the employers had been very clearly stated, and it had the advantage of letting both parties know where they stood. The hearing will be resumed this morning.