KILLERS' DISPUTE

Evening Post, Volume LXXXV, Issue 28, 3 February 1913, Page 7

KILLERS' DISPUTE

CONCILIATION COMMISSIONER WILL INTERVENE PROPOSALS NEXT WEDNESDAY. It ie not generally known tliat before the moat companies met in conference in Wellington on Friday last, Mr. P. Hally, the local Conciliation Commissioner, had approached one of 'the partiee to the slaughtering dispute, with a view to mediating. A representative of The Post question, ed Mr. Hally on the matter to-day, and I he replied that he had made an effort to bring the parties in the dispute together ■with a view to paving the, way towards a settlement. "This was done in an tin* official manner," added the Commissioner, "as the difficulty is of such a nature — 'principally owing to the fact that the slaughtermen's unions are not registered bodies of workers— that the machinery of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act could not operate. But, when it is considered that fOOO workers of all classes are involved, and that plant and machinery to the Value of not far short of two million sterling is lying idle, not to mention the raw material in the shape of something like sis and a half millions sterling worth of stock that should he going forward to the freeaeis — when these facia are considered, I am not particular as to whether I will be blamed (as has been the case in at least one previous instance) for endeavouring to pour oil on troubled waters." Then your efforts at conciliation were a failure? "Yes, my efforts failed. The principals on bow sides are hardened up, and, at the present time, there does not appear much chance of settlement upon ordinary lines. But I intend again approaching both parties, and will submit to them certain proposals which I think may get over the difficulty. This will be done next Wednesday. , One party (perhaps both) may incline to turn my propositions down, but I feel confident they will eventually lead to business." Questioned on the rumour to that effect, Mr. Hally replied that he did not think there was the slightest chance of a general strike. "I know," he added, "there are extremists on both sides who advocate this policy of clearing the atmosphere. lam of the opinion that such an, upheaval will not eventuate. There is no prospect of that, whatsoever. Outside the extremists referred to, very few people, either of the employed or employing classes, look upori this method of securing industrial peace with any favour- at all." SITUATION AT PETONE, The most noticeable feature of the slaughtermen's strike at Petone is the little interest being taken by the residents of that suburb. It is the general opinion that the Gear Company has but little hope of manning the boards with free labour. Of the out-of-work hands, very few are to be seen about the streets, and a number have gone it search of fresh fields. About eight or nine slaughtermen have •left for Waingawa, a few have gone Auckland way, while several left for San Francisco by the last boat. The hands in the manure department, and the fitters are now the only ones employed at the Gear Works. So far as can be ascertained, the shopkeepers have not ■ yet ' noticed any appreciable difference in their takings, but it is probable that the pinch will be felt later. .OPERATIONS AT GISBORNE. (fit TELEGRAPH— PBEBS ASSOCIATION.) GISBORNE, This Day. The Gisborne Sheepfarmers' Frozen Meat Company started killing operations to-day with seven men. They are expecting no difficulty during the day, and anticipate carrying on.