TROUBLE BREWING;

Southland Times, Issue 20014, 30 October 1926, Page 7

TROUBLE BREWING;

FREEZING WORKERS DEMAND FOR INCREASED WAGES MEN NOT UNANIMOUS (Per United Press Association.) Napier, October 29. It is now beyond all doubt that trouble is Ijrewing between the freezing works’ employees and the owners and though neither side has any official pronouncement to make, it seems very unlikely that the Hawke's Bay works will be manned by the usual employees when they open for the sea*K>n on Monday. Reports from various parts indicate that if a strike eventuated, it is likely to be general or almost so and that the workers or those who are leading them are determined to stand to their claims for higher wages. The butchers are claiming a ten per cent, increase and other freezing works employees a penny an hour. The unionists in Hawke’s Bay are without doubt far from unanimous in supporting the extreme action, in fact a large proportion are opposed to a strike. It seems that matters have been taken out of the hands of the local branch and that the workers will merely have to follow where they are led, in other words the strike will be thrust upon them. Mr J. H. Joll, president of the local branch of the Farmers’ Union, had nothing to say when asked what were the prospects for the use of free labour in the event of a strike. Nevertheless it is known that for some months farmers have been organising to meet any such contingency and it is understood they feel abundantly confident of being able to overcome any inconvenience that the strike, however wide its ramifications, may be likely to impose upon the business community.