FREEZING WORKS MEN IN HAWKE’S BAY GIVE TROUBLE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17991, 30 October 1926, Page 13

FREEZING WORKS MEN IN HAWKE’S BAY GIVE TROUBLE.

MATTER OUT OF HANDS OF THE LOCAL UNION. Per Press Association. NAPIER. October 29. It now is beyond all doubt that trouble is brewing 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 season on Mondav. Reports from various parts indicate that, if a strike should eventuate, 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 10 percent increase, and other freezing works employees an extra Id an hour. Unionists in Hawke’s Bay are without doubt far from being unanimous in supporting 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 T, 11. Joll, president ot 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 that they feel abundantly confident of being able to overcome any inconvenience that a strike, however wide its ramifications, may be likely to impose upon the business community.