FREEZING WORKS DISPUTE.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXIII, 21 January 1926, Page 7

FREEZING WORKS DISPUTE.

NORMAL WORK COMMENCED YESTERDAY. After, “go-slow” had ruled for some days, the South Canterbury freezing works commenced normal killing again yesterday morning. A good bench of butchers was secured at both works, and killing proceeded without a hitch.Fat lambs are coming forward in good quantity, and the works should once •gain have a very busy season.

RESTRICTIONS REMOVED.

By Telegraph—Press Association WELLINGTON, January 20. Mr F. V. Sanderson secretary of the North Island Freezing Companies’ As- - sociafion has been advised that the men at all the Canterbury Freezing Works will resume normal killing this morning. The news of the settcmpnt of. the dispute will come as a relief to sheepfarmers and freezing employees nlike, as sees killing operations in full swing in both Islands. ONLY A TRUCE? By T«l«rrSDh—Press Association CHRISTCHURCH, January 20. The ‘‘go-slow” policy in tho Canterbury Freezing Workg ended this morning, and the normal killing rate was resumed. This development follows an ultimatum issued over night by the companies that if the normal pace were not resumed no stock would bo offered. The union secretary states _ that though things are normal, the point to be emphasised is that the dispute has not been settled. “COWARDLY CAMOUFLAGE.” MR SEMPLE’S STORY. By T«lejrraph—Press Association GISBORNE, January 20. “Cowardly camouflage and political jugglery” .were terms used by Mr R. Semple, Dominion organiser of the Freezing Union, describing to a Gisborne “Times” reporter the circumstances that led to a dispute between employees and employers in the Canterbury freezing works. Mr Semple is at present visiting Gisborne on business connected with the Union, which he states has no connection with the dispute. In explaining . the circumstances that led up to the trouble, Mr Semple stated that the rates of pay for freezing workers in New Zealand were below those paid in Australia. He said that Australian •slaughtermen were paid 45s per hundred, while in New Zealand they were paid only 38s 6d for big sheep and 36s for lambs. Labourers were paid a minimum wage of 18s a day m Australia, while here there was a fiat rate of 2s per hour. As many •laughtermen came over Australia for the season, there was_ a considerable amount of dissatisfaction ever the wages, and tho Arbitration Court, realising the dissatisfaction, had prior to the elections given judgment for an extra, penny, per hour. The Court’s, decision in the case was “ridiculously insincere,” and only designed to confuse the minds of workers 'and oause industrial unrest, stated Mr Somple. The decision had a tag to it. The judgment for an extra penny was 6ubject-to the approval of the employers. It could be quite clearly, seen then that as the freezers’ award did not expire until 1927 the employers would not be agreeable to any increase. There could, be little doubt in his mind that decision was given for political ’ reasons, hut it was done in such ai scientific manner that the minds of workers were confused, and they had not seen the flaw until after the elec- • tipns. [lhe duty of the Court, he maintained, should be to create industrial peace, and not unrest, as had been done in this case. When rlie new season had started, said' Mr Semple, the workers in Canterbury realised the unfairness of the decision, and adopted “go-slow” Tactics in an endeavour to force the hands cf the employers, but nothing eventuated, and from information iie received, they were now working at normal pace The law of supply n.nd demand. said Mr Semple, bad been responsible for tho wages of slaughterman in Auckland district and at- the Wniroa works being increased bv 2s fid per hundred. This increase,, be said, had merely been granted in an endeavour to entice workers from other districts. Mr Semple states he intends ,to retire, from the position of Dominion organiser at the end of this month and enter into business on his own account in Wellington in the coal distributing business.