WAITARA TRADE BOYCOTT

Taranaki Daily News, 10 November 1932, Page 7

WAITARA TRADE BOYCOTT

DENIAL MADE BY UNION

MAYOR’S STATEMENT CHALLENGED

“FREE LABOUR” UNION MOOTED.

’ That the tradespeople of Waitara had, In spite of denials, been threatened with boycott and threats of boycott by freezing workers if they supplied the works management or free labourers with goods, was'a? statement made by the Mayor of Waitara, Mr. J. Hine, at the monthly meeting .of the council on Tuesday night. The report of his remarks was published in the Ne ws yesterday and has drawn a denial from the workers’ organisation. The representatives of the Waitara Freezing Works Union state t(hat at a meeting held yesterday morning strong exception was taken to Mr, Hine’s statement as far as his" remarks relating to the supplying of Borthwicks is concerned. 5 The meeting passed a resolution condemning the statements made as contrary to fact. At no time, it was stated, has 'it been the policy of the union to boycott the tradespeople. ■ Since the beginning of the dispute the union has had the sympathy and support of the tradespeople in many Ways, says the secretary of the union, Mr. G. Bird, and it would certainly be foolish to undertake a policy of boycott. The Waitara Freezing Workers* Union recently received advice from the registrar that application had been made by those now employed at the works for the registration Of a new union. The registrar advised that any objections of the old union to the registration of the new union must be made within 14 days. The matter was discussed by the unionists and it was decided to object to the registration of the new union on grounds which it is considered will present a strong and valid case. At a. meeting of unionists yesterday morning it was announced that the unionist butchers, from a special fund, were purchasing ten or 12 sheep, which would be killed' and dressed by them and the meat distributed free of charge to unionists. It is understood that this has been done.

The statement made by Mr. Hine at a meeting of the borough, council on Tuesday was as follow's:—“With regard to tlie industrial situation prevailing, 1 wish to say, without expressing any opinion on merits or demerits, that as Mayor of the town I have been careful to 'maintain a strictly impartial attitude. At the same time I have not been idle but have consistently worked to bring about a conference of the contending parties in order to arrive at an honourable settlement.. When the Minister of Finance convened an informal conference at Wellington last week I had hopes it wd’jiid lead to a solution, but the conference, was abortive. “I feel that it is my duty as Mayor to refer to the treatment meted out to t'he tradesmen of the town who are in no way a party to the dispute. Despite any denials it is obvious that boycott and threats of boycott have been used and wanton interference with legitimate business has ensued. This method is both stupid and futile —stupid, because its immediate result is damage to the unionists’ best friends and futile because Messrs. Borthwick and Sons can and do Obtain alt the goods they require from neighbouring towns to the serious loss of the local traders. As an example of tactics it is a tragic blunder. I am extremely sorry that the otherwise exemplary conduct of the men now out of work should have... been marred. by such actions. Having the welfare of the town at heart I shall continue to spare no effort to bring about a settlement, and any services I can render in the direction of mediation are always available.” ' ■' ' '