THIRD EDITION. WORKS MUST OPEN

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LII, Issue 17185, 8 November 1926, Page 11

THIRD EDITION. WORKS MUST OPEN

POSITION IN POVERTY BAY VOLUNTEER LABOR IF NEEDED The question as to the effect of the decision of the Hawke's Bay freezing workers not to accept employment, and 'he possible effect upon the works in the Oisborno district was referred to Mr. J. W. Nolan, chairman of directors of Hie (!is- . borne Sheepfarmcrs' P.M. and M. Co., . this afternoon. He staled that it was essential that the work., should open, and . though it was hoped thai the workers iii the Poverty .Hay district, would accept employment', volunteer 'labor would be organised if necessary. ! "Fanners are entirely dependent, upon ! tho opening of the works at the proper time for the freezing of their kwiuis." said Mr. Nolan, "' and it is always a : serious matter it killings cannot be made !as soon as the lambs are ready. In I the past disturbances have been experienced and !iy the timd the disputes ; wore settled, the lambs had -one off | and were not lit for killing. This condition of affair:; cannot be allowed to obtain this season." FARMERS ORGANISED. Coming to the. question of volunleci labor for the manning of the works. Mr. ! Nolan stated thai some months ago the 'farmers of the district had word of impending trouble, and had organised. The result was that there would be ! volunteer labor available l 0 man the works if necessary, but it was hoped that the men would not adopt an unreasonable attitude, hut would accept employment under the existing award. The farmers were the ones who felt the burden of any extra freezing charges, and after the bad season they had ex--1 perienced last year, they could not. afford the increases asked for. The question was wrongfully submitted at .the | present juncture, for -the* men ,avero [working under an award that did not expire until next June. There was, of course, nothing to prevent them from rdlusing to work if they so desired, and apparently their actions could not he construed 'as a strike, but on the other hand the farmers were at liberty to supply the necessary labor for the works, if the ordinary hands did not come forward for engagement. CALL FOR LABOR, The freezing season in the Hawke's ■ Bay district always opens earlier than in 1 Poverty Bay. and therefore, it will be I some little time before matters come to I n head locally. If, when the works are } opened, non e i of the freezing workers | offer for engagement, those who have signified their' willingness to carry on with the work will be engaged, and the works will bo. opened a lew days I later. , n . I "There appears to be some truth Jn j the contention that the action is being j forced on to the men by the union I officials," concluded Mr. Nolan, "for lithe reports from Hawke's Bay indicate that then' is a very fair percentage) ol I men who are only 100 anxious to comI mencc work. The position is doubly niij fortunate in that tho .men are taking this action at a time* when unemployment lias seldom been worse. However, the loyalty of the workers in our own freezI ing works has been proved, during past | disputes and we feel that Very probably Ihcy will decide on accepting work as [j usual." ME. lIALLY FOR H.B. (PrT Press Association.) AUCKLAND, this day. By the direction of the Minister of Labor Mr. Hally, Concili'atiou Commissioner, leaves Auckland for Napier ifiis evening in connection with the I slaughtermen's dispute. i I'LENTY OF BUTCHERS (Snecial to the Herald.) 1 * NAPIER, this day. i There were plenty of butchers offerI in K at tho Hawke's Bay works this | morning, and they opened with practic- ! ally the- normal boards. The. butchers I working at the various works to-day are: Tomoana 18, Whakatu 21, and Fakipaki 20. These are all who will be required to deal with the stuck offering | at present.