STRIKE OF KILLERS

Evening Post, Volume LXXXV, Issue 31, 6 February 1913, Page 8

STRIKE OF KILLERS

PETONE AND NGAHAURANGA TO RE-OPEN EXPERTS AND LEARNERS INVITED TO APPLY COMPANY NOT FIGHTING UNIONISM. With reference to the advertisement from the two local companies, which appears in another column of this issue, the managing director of the Wellington Meat Export Company (Mr. W. G. Foster) considers it advisable to make the following statement : — "I think the time has come avlu'H Aye should make it quite clear to slaughtermen, intending learners, and others that this company's Avorks are compulsorily idle, and that, as may bs expected, avo are anxious and ready to make a restart. Naturally, Aye Avould have | preferred such recommencement should be with trained men, but, this being impracticable at present, Aye are Avilling to provide hooks for other sections of workers able to slaughter and dress, and for learners. From this it Avill be understood that the company is not, as has been stated, fighting unionism. On the contrary, I am an advocate of it, provided it is reasonably conducted, but in the present case it has been conclusively shown that slaughtermen in the North Island have season after season made high wages for. a fairly lengthy period, and beyond question relatively much greater than members of any other union, of workers. If their cessation from^ work affected them only it Avould be a comparatively small matter, but they are forcing unemployment on probably more than ten times their own numbers, and this without the excuse of insufficient P ay "Various reasons are asserted for the registration just effected, amongst them being the intention to frustrate the | registration of a new unipn. From this it is reasonable to infer that the formation of such a new union is imminent. In any case, it would appear that there is lack of unanimity even perhaps in their own ranks. I prefer, however, to think that it rather indicates a desire, now thejr tactics have saved them from pains and penalties, to recognise the spirit of the law once more, and I hope that it is the forerunner of the acceptance of the suggestion offered by Sir George Clifford on behalf of all companies to submit to, and loyally abide by the decision of the Arbitration Court. This proposal has never been withdrawn by the companies, and is still open ' to the Slaughtermen's Unions. It will be entirely at their door if the present unemployment of large numbers of other operates continues."