SOMBRE VIEW

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22628, 16 January 1937, Page 13

SOMBRE VIEW

* MEN: AT THE >VOEKS the minister awaited FOOD SUPPLY ORGANISED SUPPORT FROM OTHER UNIONS More serious expressions were obgerved on the faces of the freezing "hands at Westfield and Southdown yesterday than was the- case on Thursday. The psychological influence of fraternising with idle men. of living in and around idle works, seemed to be,having its effect. Added to that was the tension of the situation ; the conflict between the desire for an amicable agreement quickly reached and determination to reach their objective. Some said they realised there might be heavy losses among farmers and hoped that would not come about.

The men are adequately fed. Cheques totalling £loO were received from outside unions yesterday, and other sympathetic unions have levied their members to support the freezing employees. Extension Not Likely There was an air of expectancy about the men at Westfield and Southdown yesterday. A fair percentage of them were anticipating sympathetic movements among freezing workers in the South Island, /but Mr. W. E. Sill, secretary to the Auckland union, dispelled that when ho addressed the Westfield men at 10.-30 a.m. He told them that because the South Island season reached its peak nm?h later there was little prospect of the trouble extending beyond the North Island, at least for the present. Early in the afternoon they heard that tile Minister of Labour, the Hon. H. T. Armstrong, was flying to Auckland to address them. It was rumoured that he would arrive at three o'clock. Later, they were told he would arrive I this morning and address them. This information caused a great deal of conjecture, and in various parts of the works,, in alley-ways, around card tables, j and in groups behind the gates, the men discussed the probable line of action Mr. Armstrong would take. Feeding Arrangements The delegates' spokesmen at West- I field summed up the attitude of the I hands in these words: "if the Minister can't give us some good assurance of better arrangements, we shall stay here ! indefinitely."

Although not complete, the feeding arrangements at the four works seem to have functioned satisfactorily. Friends and relatives have provided the men with cooked meals brought to the gates. In some instances this food —roast meat, potatoes and vegetables—can be re-heated by the men. Late yes-

terday afternoon two large iron pots filled with stew wore brought to Westfield, and between live and six o'clock many women arrived with lunch pails and plates-of food.

Each section of those staying in has appointed its, own rationing committee. A list of requirements is compiled, and certain representatives are given leave "chits" to purchase foodstuffs afc.Otahuhu. They are allowed to be absent from the works no longer than is reasonably necessary. One section ban a supply of tomatoes and lettuce sufficient for the day. Health Regulations and Southdown have framed their own health regulations, and appointed health committees' to see that quarters are kept clean. All rooms a ud landings are swept after each meal, aud periodic inspections are carried out by members of the committee. There is a plentiful supply ol readJig matter. Magazines, newspapers and books have been contributed by other unions, who also have promised money, food and bedding. If the men tire of P'aj"ing cards, or reading, or listening to one of the radios which seem to be •'"terminably • tuned in, they have the °ption ol' discussing probable developments. In spite of all these diversions, *'>(">• seem to realise that events have Assumed a more sombre complexion.

HELLABY'S WORKS

CONDITIONS OF IttIPLOYMKNT

It has been stated that the men at j ll(> Wostlield-works of K. and W. Hel- > Limited, where operations are Proceeding as usual, receive higher of pa\ than the men in other .| n fks engaged in stay-in tactics. Ifut. 11 ' s pointed out that this is incorrect. A inan in the freezing industry said t the men at R. aiul W. Hellaby s have a separate union and are jj®ployed under an agreement, which, "owever, j s exactly the same in its and conditions as the Dominion fo r the freezing industry gener-