BELFAST BUTCHERS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23965, 15 May 1941, Page 10

BELFAST BUTCHERS

WORK NOT RESUMED INVITATION TO FREE LABOUR [BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION"] CHRISTCHURCH, Wednesday No work was done to-day on tho slaughtering chain at the Belfast freezing works of Thomas Borthwiek and Sons, Limited. It is unlikely that work will he resumed to-morrow. A call for free labour by the company met with no response to-day. Union delegates visited the works before the starting hour, but no picketing to prevent any intending applicants to the company's advertisement for experienced slaughtermen was apparent later in the day. "We are not .retracting/' the company's spokesman said to-night. "We cannot accept tho unreasonable terms of the men." Inquiries were made at the works and also in the city by investigators for the Labour Department, and tho district officer. Mr. !!. T. Bailey, later communicated with the Minister of Labour, the Hon. P. C. Webb. No statement was issued giving the attitude of the Government or the department. Mr. Webb will be back in Wellington tomorrow, as he returned by to-night's boat from Nelson after his West Coast visit. Work on cleaning-up was carried out normally at Belfast to-day, but unless an early settlement of the dispute is reached, additional workers will become unemployed. Stock was available in the company's paddocks for killing, and, while further deliveries have been stopped, buying negotiations are proceeding by the company's agents.