NEW FREEZING WORKS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26963, 24 December 1948, Page 3

NEW FREEZING WORKS

SOUTHLAND APPLICATION

UNION DELEGATE’S STAND

“If Federated Farmers can prove that 450,000 head of stock are going to northern works from Southland each year because the Southland works are unable to deal with it, then I undertake on behalf of my union and on behalf of the national council of the New Zealand Freezing Workers’ Federation to withdraw opposition to the scheme for new freezing works in Southland,’’ said Mr A. Wilson, the representative of the Southland Freezing Workers’ Union, at a meeting of the Southland Trades Council. "It would be foolish to do otherwise than withdraw opposition to the scheme because 400,000 head of stock would be sufficient for another freezing works. But Federated Farmers cannot prove their claim.” After discussing the question of extra freezing works in Southland, .however, the-Trades Council defeated by 14 votes to 5 a motion by Mr Wilson, “That from the information supplied by the freezing workers’ delegates, this Trades Council cannot support the application by Federated Farmers of Southland for a further freezing works for Southland.” Mr F. Vella, of the Bluff Waterside Workers’ Union, opposed any postponement of considering the subject. His union had decided to support the case for a new works. After the vote on Mr Wilson's motion had been taken, it was stated that several delegates had not. voted because they had no instructions from their unions. Mr Wilson then moved that the whole question be recommitted to the next meeting of the council, on the ground that the decision reached by the council that night was unconstitutional according to the rules of the Federation of Labour. The chairman, Mr Little, ruled that he could not accept this motion. Mr Wilson challenged the chairman’s ruling but on the question being put to the meeting, the chairman’s ruling was upheld by 15 votes to 6. Mr Little then said the question was closed.