PAREORA BUTCHERS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1742, 6 May 1913, Page 6

PAREORA BUTCHERS.

URGE STRIKERS TO STAND FIRM. (By Telegraph.—Presa Association.) Timaru, May 5. Tho troublo with slaughtermen developed rapidly at Pareora on Saturday. At a mass meeting it was decided to support tho Smithficld men. At a mass meeting of all unions concerncd yesterday afternoon, a resolution was passed-.—"That this meeting is entirely in accord with tho action taken by the butchers and assistants at Smithiicld Freezing Works, and urges llicm to stand firm. Wc call upon all unions to assist them in making this fight theirs also, and affirm' that an injury to one is an injury to all workers." It was reported that nine of tliio free labourers had joined tho union since Friday. A subscription was taken up in tho room in aid of Mr. P. C. AVebb'a line, and more than doublo tho required . amount was subscribed. Further meetings will bo held to-day, and there is much anxiety as to the position the waterside workers will take. PLENTY OF MEN OFFERING. (By Telegraph—Prese Association.) Ghristchurch, May 5.. The manager of the Clu'istchurch Meat Company, sran to-day iirwiineclioit with tho trouble that lias occurred at tho company's Smithiicld works, stated that tho position is practically this: After the strike, two months ago, when the boards worn in process of being filled up by fresh incnj some of Hie old men presented themselves for re-engacement. Wo simply selected some of thoso men, filling up the vacancies remaining. The position at Smithficld lately was that wo had from 18 to 20 learners, with 0 old union men. These men were employed individually under no award. A dispute occurred the other dav with a free labourer, and 1G men wont'out in a body, declining to work unless this man was dismissed. AVe said that wo would hold an inquiry if they went back to work. They would not go back, olid there is (he end of it. We arc taking steps to tilt their places, and to-dav wc have had enough applications to fill all the hooks. Tho old union men have been paid off. THE REVOLVER STORY. Timaru, Mar 5. On Saturday seventeen learners, some now fairly expert, remained at work at Smithficld. This morning eight ol' these joined the strikers, but a number of i'resli hands were taken on, and over thirty are at work to-day, and more aro expected during the week. The strikers had pickets explaining to tho new men their side of the case. AVork proceeded as usual at l'arcora. Air. J'. C. AVebb, president of the Federation ol' Labour, arrived this afternoon, and met the strikers', and, later, a deputation interviewed tho local managers, lint what happened has not transpired. Mr. Webb told a reporter that he hoped for an early settlement, but so far the federation was not affected. One of tho strikers staled that there was no other cause whatever for the strike except that the company would not discharge a man who (as thrco men alleged) had threatened to uso a revolver. This man, however, denies even owing a revolver, and a police inquiry failed to make out the case.