WORK AND WAGES.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2035, 21 March 1907, Page 3

WORK AND WAGES.

Press Association. CH RISTCHURCH, yesterday. All the Canterbury Frozen Meat Company’s works are full-handed now, and whatever fresh men come forward to ask for employment will be sent to the Pareora works, where the men refused to return to work on account of the insertion of clause 5 in the agreement.

Although the difficulties of the meat companies and slaughtermen appeared to be finally settled when the men resumed work, still some points of difference are outstanding. There is some dissatisfaction at Islington in regard to the interpretation of the agreement upon which the men went back to work. No serious trouble is anticipated, but the men decline to do certain things required of them by the Christchurch Meat Company, and stated their determination to persist in this attitude. A compromise is expected, and negotiations are in progress. The difference is on the interpretation of the clause defining the duties of slaughtermen. The clause is as follows: “Killing and dressing of sheep and lambs to consist of killing, cleaning, taking off the skill and shank, with the wool pieces, taking the inside out, wiping, thoroughly cleaning, putting on neck strings and butcher’s tags.” The men claim they are entiled to abide by the strict letter of the agreement. The officials bold the view that the duties of tho men should not bo limited to the matters stated in the agreement, but should also include skinning the heads and removal of sweetbreads. The men refuse to do this, and stand firmly by the agreement. The agreement has not yet been signed, and the men say it will not be until the matter has been fixed up.

TIM AH U, yesterday. At Parcora freezing works this morning five more strikers resumed work, making 28 in all wlio have started. It is expected that the balance will resume work to-morrow. At Smithfield works 51 butchers arc at work, and everything is going smoothl ythcre.

WELLINGTON, last night. Proposals bearing on the rate oi wages will be dealt with at a special meeting of the General Laborers’ Union on Friday night. DUNEDIN, last night. The Trades and Labor Council tonight considered the question of nominating a representative on the Arbitration Court, and decided to recommend Mr It. Breen, Secretary of the Council, as representative of the workers, and Mr AY. T. Young, of AVellington, as deputy representative.

THE POSITION IN CANTERBURY TIMARU, last night.

The Pareora slaughtermen are gradually returning to work. There n-ere 20 working on freezers to-day. Five more are coming to work in the morning and two in the afternoon. More are expected to come in to-morrow. There were 18 beginners working on potters. The Pareora delegate to Christchurch asserted on his return that the fine? or Is and 6d were not agreed to. Ho understood the fine was to be 3d, and it appears that on his report the men refused to accept’ the fines clause. The Smithfield men approve of the fines as easier than the former system of making them buy damaged carcases.