"THE FLESHERS DEMAND."

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1690, 5 March 1913, Page 4

"THE FLESHERS DEMAND."

Sir,—For three ye£.rs tliej' talked and dre&mt of tho time when 30 "bob" a hundred would bo the pay. Who would dare to rcfuso? Drunk with the wino of prosperity, they considered it simply preposterous t'liat tho companies only gave irom 255. to 30s. for a day's toil. Why not another ss. ? It was as easy as slipping' off a spar in, a pillow-fight. Why this demand? Sheep were growing heavier yearly; the "cost of living" was a severe hurdle to negotiate, and the general environments were such {hat even 30 "bob" would only suffice for a brief period. It left no surplus to mnko life worth a thought. Time wore on, and ©very week brought tho old 255. agreement nearer to termination. Meetings were held, and motions were passed unanimously declaring what good fellowship existed'. The rise was clearly in sight. The fight was all over bar tho cheering and light~refreshn)erit'3. Slaughtering was pronounced a most exclusive trade, and not a soul existed outside of the gallant. 900 who Jield a diploma to use .a "Wilson" knife. What a delusion—a fools' paradise. Tho appointed day is here. : They Igo forth to battle; e» preparation, no Dreadnoughts, no destroyers—obsolete methods, war chest empty. Just living a life of pleasure and trusting to luck, lied to the shamble like innocent lambs.

Desiring peace and goodwill, the companies offered 275. Gd. as a -compromise. The "fleshers" had a bloodless victory; but alas, tho knights of tho knife must have gore. Tho offer was indignantly refused, and the psychological moment passed; simultaneously the guillotine slaughtered and mangled one of the best unions that over existed, with no hope of resurrection. Tho strikers simply annihilated themselves.

A few random shots have left the forts of tho slaughtermen, but their powder is "crook," and not a shell over reached the companies' bnttlnmenta. Under cover of disguise, eoiue of the strikers gained admittance to tho works. When the stowaways were located,' they were simply disarmed and generously given a tickct of leave.

This one-sided fight has now waged for six weeks, with disastrous results to the' aggressors; their union has Iwcn sacrificed at the altar. Approximately .£35,000 has bean lost in wages. About 2500 labourers havo been thrown out of employment, thus losing about -C 55,000 in wages. Instead of about 15 learners qualifying during ('he ensuing twelve months as provided in the new demand, there will U? about 750 taking their degree. The unjust demands of the slaughtermen have alienated all sympathy—even other unions have counted them out. The South Island members of the union have capitulated. All tho works of tho colony aro again in full swing. Sturdy sons of the old pioneers from tho "Never-Nover," off

"Dad's selection" and "I ho roadless North" are bagging the big cheques, backing prospective winner?, and general ly having a good time. What, of the strikers? The remnant: still stand on the pavement and talk fight, but: it's an empty sound, lor times aro dry and cheques are small, 'l'liey are quite harmless: treat them kindly, be generous to the afflicted. They still dream of (he time when the

"boards" will 1:? cleared ami HO "bob" will 1» the price. Will this occur while we are oil earth this time!l am. etc..