UNION SECRETARY SAYS THERE IS NO STRIKE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18016, 29 November 1926, Page 15

UNION SECRETARY SAYS THERE IS NO STRIKE.

Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, November 27. A waiting policy is being pursued by both sides in the freezing -works dispute in Auckland. So far no call has been made for labour for the works and it is not expected any move of a definite nature will be made until next week. The main points were advanced yesterday by Mr W. E. Sill, secretary of the Auckland branch of the Freezing Works Employees Union in an advocacy of the men’s case. ‘He contended that there was no strike and that all the freezing works employees and not the slaughtermen only were concerned in the dispute, which was due to a refusal of the employers to meet the representatives of the men to discuss the conditions of the industry. “There is not enough work for all the works,” Air Sill said “Our records show that last season the men employed in the Southdown works obtained an average of only £3 7s a week. For about half the short freeezing season they were idle. Before the war men by working long hours could make enough to tide them over the period of unemployment following the closing of the season, but what can a man do if all he averages is a little over £3 a week, and he then finds himself thrust ori an over-sup-plied labour market?” “How are. they going to get on now?” Mr Sill was asked. “If the men are up against it like that should they not take the work that is offering?” “They are used to starving,” Mr Sill replied. “When a man gets down to it he reaches a condition in which he does not care what happens. He knows things--cannot'become any worse. He loses spirit and he loses ambition, and it is no use ‘bleating’ about farmers being- inconvenienced through the works not being opened. For the past three years their unnecessary works and their cupidity have meant that they have obtained a penny a pound and more above the true market value for their meat. It is their interference ■ in the freezing industry that has brought about the demoralisation of the industry.”