FREEZING WORKS DISPUTE

Taranaki Daily News, 25 November 1926, Page 11

FREEZING WORKS DISPUTE

CANTERBURY PREPARING FARMERS RESIST MEN'S DEMANDI VOLUNTEER LABOUR OFFERING By Telegraph.—Fn*s Association. Christchurch, Last Night. As a result of steps taken at a meet’ ing to-day of representatives of primary producers in Canterbury, it is unlikely that the freezing works in the provincial district will be caught napping in the- event of the slaughtermen in the South Island deciding to follow the example of the men in the North Island. The following resolutions were adopted by the meeting:— “That this meeting of representatives of the primary producers supports tho attitude of the freezing companies in resisting the demands of the Freezing Workers’ Federation for increases ip the rates of pay on the award now current.” » "That this meeting undertakes to use every effort to supply the men necessary to carry on operations in the event of the union officials failing to do so." It was stated that already there have been received substantial offers of assistance from country districts throughout Canterbury, should the trouble to the South Island. POSITION AT AUCKLAND. . BOTH PARTIES MARKING TIME. Auckland, Nov. 24. The position in Auckland in connection with the refusal of slaughtermen to undertake the killing of the new season's stock for export remains unchanged. The ordinary hands are ilot affected, and the usual operations at the various works are being carried on. It is understood that a eall for men to undertake work on the new season's export stock would not meet with any response from the regular slaughtermen. A call is not likely to be made this week, as the companies have no desire to precipitate trouble as long as there is any chance of the dispute in Hawke's Bay being settled. NAPIER UNIONISTS MEET. FEELING AGAINST THE STRIKE. Napier, Nov. 23. A meeting of members of ths Hawke's Bay Freezing Workers' Union at Hastings to-night was addressed by Mr. James Roberts, of the Alliance of Labour, and Mr. Mcßrine, president of the Auckland Watersiders’ Union. The meeting was a stormy one and a large number of hostile questions were asked, but no opportunity was given to vote approval or otherwise of the Alliance's action in the present trouble. The only motion put to the meeting was one conveying thanks to the chairman. The result is that the position is unchanged. There is reason to believe that the free labourers will shortly form a union, in which event many of the strikers assert that they will join if given the opportunity. There is no lack of evidence that the unionists in this district oppose the course being pursued at the dictation of the Alliance of Labour, but for some reason or other the men lack the courage to take charge of the position and conduct their own affairs according to their own wishes. FREE LABOUR AT WANGANUI. Wanganui, Nov. 24. The Imlay freezing works are carrying on to-day with free labour. Twenty butchers have been engaged and more labour is offering than required. Extra men will be put jn gradually. WAIRARAPA WORKS OPEN. Masterton. Last Night. The Wairarapa Frozen Meat Company commented slaughtering operations this morning with 16 volunteer butchers. This number is sufficient for the present requirements, but will be added to gradually from an extensive list of available volunteers. No labouring hands hate yet been engaged. There was na attempt at resistance by the unionists.