UINTON OFFICIAL AT HASTINGS

Evening Post, Volume LXXXV, Issue 32, 7 February 1913, Page 3

UINTON OFFICIAL AT HASTINGS

mi?, eeasdon Interviewed. (fit TEtEGRAPH— KUSSS ASSOCIATION.) HASTINGS, 6th February. Mr. M. J. Reardon, secretary of the Slaughtermen's, Federation, arrived in Hastings last evening, and subsequently attended a. meeting of the Slaughtermen's Union. Interviewed to-day, Sir. Beard on said that there was no information for the .pr^ss arising out tit* the meeting. Asked if there had been any change in tho men's attitude, Mr. Reardon replied in the negative. Ho said that the tallies : Recorded by the inert who went on the boards yesterday did not affect the slaughtermen's position. At Tomoana, twenty-eight men killed 500 sheep, and at-Pakipaki six men managed to put through 143; whilst at the North British works at the Port the total tally was j l? 0. At the last-named works there were ten butchers, includihg eight Maoris. So far as ne, could learn, only one unionist had "caved in" and returned to work. That was at Tomoana. The tallies recorded yesterday did not weaken the position of the strikers, and they were quite satisfied. In reply to a further cniestion, Mr. Reardon said that negotiations were now in progress with a large buyer in the North Island, who was prepared to grant the new demands. TKe gentleman in question had a number of contracts to fulfil for the Home market, and he would insist on the companies killing the sheep according to the terms of the agreement ■ which he had with them. He was prepared to accept the terms of tho agreement entered into af the Waingawa works, but had not been consulted. The sheep which he had bought would be slaughtered at the works most convenient for delivery. As long as the butchers were prepared to do "the- slaughtering, he would insist on j the companies doing the freezing. The strikers are very reticent regarding what took place at last night's meeting, and no information is obtainable. It is understood* however, that the men were uuariimouily in favour of a landing by their demand^ and are .wu«

fident that the companies will ultimately agree to the new terms asked for. Twelve men went on the boards at Pakipaki to-day, and applications are coming in from outside districts, but preference will be given to local men. Twenty-eight men slaughtered 800 sheep in a short day at Tomoana, and their work is improving. LONGBURN WORKS PALMERSTON N., 6th Feb The Longburn freezing works start killing again on Monday at 8 o'clock. The company has been advertising for slaughtermen, and has been successful.