GOVERNMENT AID

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22629, 18 January 1937, Page 11

GOVERNMENT AID

FREEZING DISPUTE CHAIN SLAUGHTERING LEGISLATION IF NECESSARY Expressing the opinion that if the freezing workers engaged in stay-in tactics had been less impatient, he thought he could have settled the trouble at a conference which he had called, the Minister of Labour, tlie Hon. 11. T. Armstrong, in an address to the workers at Westlield on Saturday morning, hinted that if certain things were not adjusted the Government might take a hand and remedy them.

After criticising the union's demands, the Minister said that if the Court of Arbitration gave it what it asked for, what else could it be expected to give?

The remark induced disorder, and the chairman, Mr. P. Liddell, said the secretary of the union, Mr. W . E. Sill, would explain later. The Minister: He'll explain in the way he has been explaining to you. Cries: He'll do us. Number of Men on Chain Mr. Armstrong referred to his long career as a secretary of unions, and said that in 110 union in which he was secretary did lie ever go before the conciliation council or the Arbitration Court. He always believed ho could do better independently of these tribunals. Discussing tlie conditions in the award, Mr. Armstrong said the union had agreed to 2o out of 2C). The one not agreed to was the number of workers on each chain, and the Court did not specify the number. The watersiders in their agreements always specified the number of men in a gang. There was no reason why employers and tho union could not agree on the number. "J want to say that if the Court won't rectify the omission, I think I can promise that the Government will rectify it by legislation at the first opportunity," declared tile Minister. A Worker: We don't want the chain at all. Another Worker: What about the basic wage ? The Basic Wage The Minister: I don't think the basic wage applies in your industry. (Cries of dissent.) The Minister: Oh. I know what you are driving at. Your average when there is broken time may fall below that wage. I think the only thing to <lo is to add to the hourly rate something that will compensate. AMien making an agreement your representatives should say they want au hourly rate sufficient to ensure that the average will not fall below the basic wage. "J believe you are all supporters of the Government," declared Mr. Annstrong. Chorus: Sure!

Mr. Armstrong: The only way the Government can make good is by receiving the co-operation of the industrial workers of New Zealand. It we can't get that, then we fail. If we fail, we must get out and let the other fellow get into power. (Cries of "No.") Expression of Support Wanted

Mr. Armstrong recited performances of the Government to help the workers and the unemployed. He said the latest return from the unemployment taxshowed that the people in the past 12 months had £12,000,000 more in wages than in tlio previous year. That was only a commencement of what the Government intended to do. He wanted from the workers an expression of opinion that day that they desired the Government to carry on. Negotiations with the employers in the industry had been broken off because of the go-slow tactics. If the men would resume normally, lie was prepared to attend a conference with the employers and work on the men's behalf. Xo matter who was responsible for an hourly wage of 2s Id, if it were wrong that such a wage was ruling, he was sure that reasonable employers would rectify matters. Hut lie could not givo any promises.

"i want you to support mo," declared the Minister, in concluding his speech. (Hear, hear.) "I want you to support tiie Government. I will promise, you J will never let you clown. I will work in conjunction with your officials, but unless work is resumed, that is impossible. (Long applause.) Secretary's Reply

A reply embracing the various points raised by the Minister was given by .Mr. Sill, who claimed that the Minister had boon guilty of making misleading statements. Jf Mr. Armstrong had assisted the union, lie said, ho had merely complied with demands normally made upon a member of Parliament, or, when he was appointed Ministor of Labour, in accordance with his duties.

Mr. Sill said the union had fought and was fighting for the li'.'il rates plus 10 per cent and a 10-hour week, m addition to a minimum wage equal to the basic wage sot down by tlio Arbitration Court. They were anxious, also, to improve tlio working conditions of the men at the different freezing works. The reason for their stay-in was

to show the freezing companies and the Government the serious discontent of the men, who considered tlie way they demonstrated that discontent was the only one likely to make an impression in all the circumstances. Tlie result of the conference witli the employers last week was known to (he Prime .Minister, said Mr. Sill, who added that he thought it unnecessary, therefore, to advise Mr. Armstrong, who presumably would he told by the Prime Minister. The Auckland union had not known Mr. Armstrong was negotiating with the employers last week, as the union's Wellington representative omitted to communicate with Auckland.

He was glad to know Mr. Armstrong admitted the validity of the men's claims. The Minister had said the men were misled into staying in and going slow, but no man in the Auckland union, if Mr. Sill had anything to do with a meeting, ever joined io a matter of any nature without the secretary's making it clear what might be expected. About the Government, the speaker said the present one was the best New Zealand ever had. But if the Government saw that an injustice was done, and that was the position with the chamber hands, it should take appropriate steps. In reply the Minister said he was present under instructions from the men's Government, the Labour Government. The employers were prepared to negotiate, and lie was very hopeful that the main conditions mentioned would be rectified. "You can take whatever action you like afterward." said Mr. Armstrong. "I will not ask you what confidence you have in the employers, but I ask you to have eonfiaenee in the Government and in me."

The chairman said that he had seen the men the previous evening in the Southdown and the King's Wharf works. They were emphatic that they would not go back unless there -worn concrete proposals. But after having heard Mr. Armstrong, perhaps the meeting could vote on (he matter.

After some consideration the chairman expressed the opinion that it would be better to leave the decision until (he evening, when the opinion of the workers in the other freezing works could be ascertained. A worker said that when the men came out they promised to abide bv (he decisions of the dispute delegates (hat were appointed. He moved that the meeting should await the decision of (be delegates before deciding whether (o resume work or not. The motion was agreed to and there was much cheering, the Minister. Mr. Sill and (lie Labour Government being given cheers.

BALM OF HUMOUR MINISTER'S ADDRESS JOCULAR INTERJECTIONS When in the first portion of his snech on Saturday to the men at the Wcstfield freezing -works engaged in stay-in tactics, the Minister of Labour, the Hon. TT. T. 'Armstrong, indulged in strong criticism of the action of the men and the union secretary, there were many resentful objections. But whenever it appeared as if tempers would flame unduly, there was generally some jocular interjection or humorous remark by the Minister to \?ase the tension.

At one stage there was disorder when the Minister referred to the trouble as a strike. He corrected his statement to "a stavine-in strike."

A Voice: We are boarders. (Laughter.)

The Minister: I hope you are not just black sheep. At one stage the Minister had difficulty in making himself heard because of the starting up of a motor-cycle near by. A Voice: It's the company's motorcycle. Another Worker: Well, this joint belongs to us flow. Throw it out. (Laughter.)

The Minister: I'm a Labour man— A Derisive Voice: Oh, we love you just the same. The Minister warned the workers against dictatorships. " Look out." he said, "that you don't get a dictator here."

"Bob Somple's a dictator," called out a wag. "Isn't lie?" 'Mr. Armstrong began to count the conditions in the award. "One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten —" A Kudo Voice: Out! The Minister: That's where you'll be directly. "Warning Cries: Don't you talk like that. The Minister: Seven, eight, nine, ten— A Wag: .Tack, Queen. Kitur. Ace. The Minister referred to demands the men had made before award proceedings which were subsequently withdrawn. They corresponded to conditions subsequently embodied in the award. "You made a mistake, but you never should have made it," he said. A Member of. the Audience: Wo all make mistakes.

The Minister (quickly, but with a very disarming smile): But you do not seem to have done anything else.

" I wouldn't like to work in a freezing works," confessed Mr. Armstrong. "The work is too hard, though I mightn't do so badly if you wore to continue the go-slow. But alter all, I'm afraid I am too fat. 1 might be mistaken for a porker."

" A baconcr," conceded sonic of the men amid merriment, and from that stage good humour ruled.