STRIKE THREATENED

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12590, 29 October 1926, Page 7

STRIKE THREATENED

FREEZERS AND THEIR BACKERS ALLIANCE OF LABOUR IN CONTROL EXTREMISTS DOMINANT (By Telegraph—Special to “Times.”) PALMERSTON N., October 28. “That in event of a strike this branch of the Wellington Freezers’ Union agrees to handing over the conduct of the strike to the New Zealand Alliance of Labour.” The fovegoiug resolution was carried unanimously by the largest meeting on record af the Feilding branch of the Wellington Freezers’ Union held cn Tuesday evening last. This meeting was urgently summoned to consider the demands made on behalf of the slaughtermen for an .increase in wages of 10 per cent. The district secretary and organiser, Mr A. McLeod, addressed the meeting in support of the demand for increased wag Cs. He stressed the point that during the war period producers received high prices for tlicir produce, and should be able to pay the freezers increased wages. He also pointed out that similar resolutions had already been carried by different branches throughout New Zealand, and all, with only one exception, had been carried unanimously. SUPPORT OF OTHER UNIONS. The organiser stressed the point that with the backing of the Alliance c£ labour, the seamen, the waterside workers, and all other affiliated unions Would support the action of the slaughtermen. It is learned that the meeting was dominated by extremists, who were emphatic in declaring that the demand for increased wages had to he satisfied. A number of those present were against the proposal, but did not express their opinion owning to the fear of victimisation. It is understood that many of the local men are prepared to go to work when the Feilding works open at the existing rate of .wages,, hut are

unable to do eo in view of the attitude of those controlling thi union. INSTRUCTIONS TO MEN. The policy to be adopted by the men will be that they are to turn up at the works when opening day arrives, but they will turn to only in the event of the higher wages being granted. Hitherto there has been no mention of the Alliance of Labour being involved in the issue, and definite information on this point comes as a surprise, although the idea was entertained in some quarters that in persisting in their demand the union had the support of the Alliance in view. This places the issue in a much more serious light, for it would involve the seamen ana waterside workers and transport unions, who may, at the bidding of the Alliance, decide upon a sympathy strike. Unless the slaughtermen are prepared to forego their demands it lookß as though the granting of an increase of 2s 6d per hundred to the shearers will indirectly be responsible for plunging the country into an industrial upheaval.