DECISION MADE

New Zealand Herald, Volume 82, Issue 25105, 19 January 1945, Page 4

DECISION MADE

PROPOSALS ACCEPTED CONFERENCE DATE A TIJIB LIMIT FIX HI) (0.C.) HAMILTON, Thursday Thirty delegates representing the South Auckland factories attended the meeting in Hamilton tonight to discuss the dispute. It was presided over by the president of the Waikato Trades Council, Mr C. Moltzen. Mr R. Coulter, M.P., welcomed the delegates. After a discussion lasting two and a-half hours the following statement was issued for publication: — "The meeting agreed that the dairy factory workers had no wish to hinder the war effort. They had done their duty in the past to Great Britain and to their own country in seeing that food had gone overseas and to the armed forces. They themselves recognised the seriousness of the present position, but felt they could not accept the blame. v The Meeting Unanimous "The meeting resolved to adopt the suggestions made by the president of the Federation of Labour, Mr A. McLagan, to accept the proposals put forward by the Government for the settlement of the dispute. "The meeting decided unanimously that a time limit should be fixed on the negotiations to take place. It had been suggested by Mr McLagan that the conference should be held next Wednesday,. January 2-1. It was decided that the time limit should he fixed for Monday, January 29. "No Victimisation" "The meeting wished it to be made known that the Minister of Labour, Mr Webb, liad stated through Mr Coulter that there would be no victimisation, that no victimisation of any sort would be tolerated. The workers themselves agreed that they would not tolerate any victimisation with respect to armed personnel who had worked in the factories. It was stated that the workers held no grudge against these men. "Three members were elected by the meeting with instructions to proceed immediately to Wellington to take part in the negotiations. They were Messrs. V. Booth (Waharoa). representing dried and condensed milk workers; J. Cummings (Frankton'), representing butter workers; and W. A. Pye (Cambridge'). representing cheese workers." Mr J. R. Con new. representing timber workers engaged in the manufacture of dairy factory containers, stated tonight that these men would also resume work tomorrow.