GAIETY ON WANE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22627, 15 January 1937, Page 10

GAIETY ON WANE

MORE SOBER OUTLOOK VISIT TO THE EMPLOYEES PROCESS OF SETTLING DOWN The spirit of adventure evident in the attitude of the men at the freezing works, when they began their stay-in campaign 011 Wednesday night, was replaced last evening by a more sober outlook. While they retained their cheery expectation of an early settlement, there was more method and deliberation in their activities. A visit to the West field works in tho early hours of yesterday morning yielded many novel and entertaining sights. The gay spirit of many of the younger workers inspired a restlessness which forbade repose, and between midnight and 2 a.m. the vicinity of tho works presented a lively appearance. Young men paraded the road and yard, strumming stringed instruments and singing rollicking choruses. The mild temperature induced many to revert to the scantiest of attire. The pickets on the main gates and the Sylvia Park entrance were frequently hailed by parties of men who had been given leave of absence, but no man was admitted unless the pickets were satisfied with his credentials. . Changing the Pickets The "changing of the guard" was done with mock military precision, and created considerable amusement for the young employees. The familiar orders of "Old guard, 'shun,''- and "Quick march" were rasped out in staccato fashion and obeyed with celerity. To tho strains of mouth-organ music the retiring guard was inarched back to their quarters in the works. As tho pickets were changed every hour, the men were given ample opportunity to improve their technique and manufacture their own fun.

A walk through tho works revealed men bedded down in many queer places. Those not inclined for sleep took a delight in searching out tho moro retiring of their fellows and entering upon horse-play and practical jokes. This was resented by the occupants of hammocks constructed by suspending tarpaulins in sheds and meat waggons. One of the unusual spectacles was that of two young men who had turned a huge barrel on its side and crept in to bed. Others had found refuge, if not rest, in open waggons in the shelter of a covered railway siding. Their bed covers and quilts consisted of a rug and the tarpaulin.

Feeling the Cold The preparations for last night's repose were of a more serious nature. During the day many men went home and returned with blankets, cardigan jackets and rugs, while many relatives called at the works in the evening and handed in extra clothing and bedding. The drop in temperature and ' the settling-in for an unknown period dissipated some of the levity and imparted a more realistic note to the proceedings. The closing of the works canteen resulted in vendors of pies and fish-and-chips doing a lively business in the morning and evening; Wives, mothers and sisters of many workers handed in many dainties, one woman producing a well-cooked roast and a variety of vegetables. Other workers cooked their own meals in the changing rooms of the various departments. While many of the men idled their time away in games, others were engaged organising a picketing system under which every man would take his turn 011 duty! A comprehensive roster was drawn up showing the hourly changes of personnel. The same procedure and pastimes were observed at the Southdown works. The picketing system is less stringent there on account of the works being situated fully quarter of a mile from the main road, and therefore less likely to induce passers-by to wander into the premises.

ONLY ORDINARY DUTY ARTISANS AT WORKS INSTRUCTIONS FROM OFFICIALS Stops to confine the activities of engineers and carpenters employed at the Westfiehl and Southdown freezing works purely to those associated with their own calling,® were taken yesterday. when it was stated that there was a possibility of these artisans being called upon to perforin duties ordinarily discharged by freezing workers. The organiser of the Amalgamated Engineers and Related Trades Union. Mr. W. 15. Cameron, and Mr. R. Cameron, organiser of the Amalgamated Society of Carpenters and Joiners, visited both works and discussed the position with the unionists concerned. Mr. Cameron subsequently stated that instructions bad been issued to the men in both unions that they were to do no work Outside their ordinary duties. "Our members out here are definitely keen on the freezing workers getting a 40-hour week as their fellow members throughout Xew Zealand aro working 40 hours," added Mr. Cameron,