BLAME FOR STRIKE

Waikato Times, Volume 130, Issue 21687, 25 March 1942, Page 2

BLAME FOR STRIKE

ILLEGAL DISMISSALS f CHARGE BY FEDERATION MEN WILLING TO RETURN (By Telegraph-—Press Association) AUCKLAND, Tuesday The only fresh development in the freezing works strike is a. statement made by the Auckland Trades Council of the New Zealand Federation of Labour. This asserts that at the commencement of the dispute the men’s case was unanswerable, but owing to the attitude of the management of Hellaby’s the men were goaded into action which in the opinion of the council was unwise, because illegal. Then the Federation of Labour took over the dispute, and after full consideration, including the war issue, instructed the men to return to work, promising an enedavour to have a tribunal appointed to consider all phases of the dispute. The men agreed and presented themselves next day for work. Illegal Action Alleged Here, says the statement, the companies concerned, in the Federation’s opinion, committed a breach of the regulations by stating that some of the men would not again be allowed to resume. The men wanted an assurance that eventually, after the dislocation was adjusted, they would be employed, but were not prepared to allow a few of their members to be sorted out for victimisation. Hence the second stoppage. The Federation is still endeavouring to settle the dispute, says the statement. The men are willing to return. They consider that the companies concerned are breaking the law in dismissing men without the consent of the manpower committees established to deal with these matters. The federation supports this view but is still pursuing every avenue of settlement. It is the federation’s earnest wish that reason will prevail on all sides so that the war effort can be continued. “In the council’s opinion the matter is capable of adjustment even at this late stage provided reason is shown on both sides,’’ said Mr F. Craig, vice-president of the Auckland Trades Council. He said the Southdown and King’s Wharf men were working because there had been no victimisation at their works. The federation would do eugjything possible for settlement but would not submit to victimisation. OFFER BY COMPANIES SETTLING-DOWN PERIOD AUCKLAND, Tuesday The following statement was iisued today by the freezing companies concerned in the dispute at Westfield:— “The companies state that their inability to take back all the workers in a body on Thursday last was due to the fact that the works were already operating with volunteer labour, and all stock supply movements had been completely disorganised. “It was indicated to the representatives of the Federation of Labour that these difficulties would be got over and the works fully manned in a week or 10 days. It was also indicated to the representatives of the federation that the companies were willing at the end of that time to refer to an independent tribunal, to be set up by the Minister, the position of any man who might feel himself aggrieved.” NO LACK OF ROOM IN GAOL (By Telegraph.—Press Association) WELLINGTON, Tuesday The reason for the freezing works strikers under prison sentence being allowed to go to their homes instead of being immediately sent to gaol was given by the Minister of Justice, the Hon. H. G. R. Mason. He said there was no lack of room in the Auckland prison, but the Court proceedings finished at such a late hour that* it was impossible to procure and cook an evening meal and prepare beds for such a large number. Preparations to accommodate the men were completed today.