FREEZING WORKERS' DISPUTE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16571, 2 November 1921, Page 5

FREEZING WORKERS' DISPUTE.

ARBITRATION COURT HEARING, (Per Pbess Association'.) WELLINGTON, November 1* The hearings of the freezing workers* dispute was continued to-day. Mr Cookson, tbo employers’ representative, detailed the employers’ case at considerable length. Ho said that prior to the war companies and employees operated under individual awards and agreements, the employees being divided into six groups. There had been no serious frietion, excepting the slaughteririen’s strike in 1913. The custom of renewing agreements continued till 1016, when it was agreed that one award or agreement should cover the whole of the freezing works and related trades employees on one side and the companies on the other. The proposals now advanced by the employers provided for practically uniform awards, at any rate through the North Island. This was an argument in favour of a single hearing for the whole dispute. A settlement was urgently necessary to avoid loss, which wouid be inevitable if the works could not handle stock immediately it was ready for market. Mr Cookson reviewed the rise m wages since 1916. In 1919 an agreement was entered into at the height of the season, when it would have been disastrous to allow the works to stop. A bonus was granted in February. 1920, at the height of the season, and further concessions at the end of 1920 made the addition to the 1919 rates 25 per cent for hourly and weekly workers and 20 per cent for piece workers. The employers’ new proposals adopted the conditions in force prior to April. 1919, while wages in nearly every case were those prescribed in the 1919 agreement. Mr Cookson said that wages between 1914 and 1921 increased 87.5 per cent compared with 78.97 per cent increase in the cost of 'living. While nominal w r ages had increased 81 per cent the actual cost of labour to perform a'vgiven amount of work had increased 100 per cent. It was proposed that the new award should cover only the coming season. Evidence was given in support of the employers’ proposal that the 1919 agreement regarding wages a,nd stricter working conditions should be reverted to. Evidence also was beard with regard to the high prices ruling for agricultural implements and other factors in labour and produce that farmers have to face. It was stated that manure had increased in price 75 per cent and implements about 100 percent. One farmer witness estimated that farmers last year paid out £600,000 for shearing and £1,200.000 for freezing. He quoted figures showing how prices of fat stock had altered. He attributed the present position to high working charges, labour costs and prices of wool. COMPLAINTS OF DELAY. [From On Correspondent.] WELLINGTON, November 1. It was put to the Prime Minister by Mr Lysnar to-day that unless the Arbitration Court promptly deals with the freezing workers’ dispute there will be serious consequences, as some w ? orks open on November 7 and others during the following week. The freezing workers had intimated that they were not prepared to work under the old award. Mr Lysnar urged the Minister to get the Court to leave the miners’ award and mining trouble in Dunedin, as the freezing situation was more urgent. Mr Massey said he understood the urgency of the position and would have been pleased to give a satisfactory reply, as last season there was serious delay in connection with the opening of the freezing works, which caused loss not only to those immediately concerned, but to the whole country. Ho hoped there would he no repetition of this position, for the season promised to be one of the best ever experienced. Air Lysnar: There will he a repetition unless the Court settles this award. # Mr Massey added that lie could not bring pressure on the Court in his official capacity, hut lie would be glad to I consult the Minister of Labour and see it it was possible to expedite matters. The Hon G. J. Anderson, Minister , of Labour, assured the House that the I Court was seized of the importance of the freezing workers’ award, and if anything was possible under the laiv to expedite it this would be done, though he could not interfere with the Court. The miners* dispute was important, hut not so urgent, and he was sure, when the Court realised that the matter had been discussed in the House, it would do its best to facilitate the hearing. Mr Howard : Tlmv will take the hint.