BIC STRIKE THREATENED.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VII, Issue 532, 11 January 1913, Page 3

BIC STRIKE THREATENED.

BY DOMINION SLAUGHTERMEN.' BETTER CONDITIONS ASKED. FARMERS MAY ASSIST COMPANIES. Wellington, Tuesday. Probably because the slaughtering season varies in different parts of the Dominion, and has not reached its full height anywhere just yet. Wellington has been chosen a» the place where [the process of ceasing work shall begin. The works at Petone and Ngahauranga are both busy now, but save interruption they would be much busier in two or three weeks' time, when the boards would be absolutely full. ■'..■■'"' ,

Notices of intention to cease work were served by the slaughtermen upon the Gear Meat Preserving Company and the Wellington Meat Export Company on Monday. They were the formal notification required by clause 9, Hub-section 1, of the Industries Conciliation and Arbitration Act, in which it is provided if any person in any of the industries to which tnis section applies strikes without having given to his employer within one month before so striking not less than fourteen days' notice in writing, signed by him of his intention to strike, or strikeH before the expiry of anv notice so given by him, the striker shall be liable, on summary conviction before a magistrate, to a fine not exceeding £25. One of the industries to which the section applies is "The slaughtering or supply of meat for domestic consumption." This action on the part of the men is the direct consequence of the failure to arrive at a satisfactory working agreement to replace the one which is just about to expire. Negotiations with the object of securing increases in pay and general improvement of conditions have been in progress since July last, but no acceptable finality could be reached. The men claim an increase of 5s per 100, from 25s to 80s in the rate of pay for sheep, and an increase of 6d per head, from 2s to 2a 6d for cattle. The companies refuse any increase in the rate of cattle, but offer to make an advance in/ the rate for sheep, which, however, the men do not regard as sufficient. The offer of the companies was submitted to a ballot of members of the Slaughtermen's Federation last week, the question being whether it should be accepted or refused. No official statement of the result of the ballot can be obtained from federation officials, but the action now taken by the Wellington men can legitimately be taken as an indication that the voting generally went against the acceptance of the companies' terms. Information as to the intentions of the Slaughtermen's Federation was refused to a reporter who sought for it to-day. There are just upon 900 slaughtermen in New Zealand, and if they were to- all stop work they would at the same time force some 4000 other men employed in other and subsidiary branches of the industry to cease operations also. There are about 65 oo 70 slaughtermen employed at Petone and Ngahauranga. When they stop they will cause 500 or 600 other men to stop as well, for with no slaughtermen going on there will be no work for them to do. In the Wellington industrial district there are seven meat works other than the two near the city. They are: Longburn, Masterton, Castlecliff, Patea, Tomoana, Pakipaki, and the Spit (Napier). Whether they will be affected by the present movement re mains to be seen.

EMPLOYERS SILENT. When the managers of the two local companies were asked for a statement as to the position they were likely to take up they agreed in main taining a resolute silence. They had. no infomation to give. It is, however, understood that the companies have made up their minds to fight on this occasion because they have now a promise of very practical support from the farmers. SUPPORT FROM THE FARMERS. That such a promise has been given was made perfectly clear by Mr E. Jack, Dominion secretary of the New Zealand Farmers' Union. He said that the matter had been carefully considered by the Farmers' Union, and the companies had been assured of the farmers' support in resisting the unreasonable demands for the slaughtermen. If the companies asked for the practical assistance of the farmers, said Mr Jack, it was almost certain that the. farmers and their sons would man the boards. There was, indeed, no doubt whatever about this. The boards would be fully manned if the companies assured the farmers that the demands of the men were unreasonable, aud that the thing was going to' be fought out. There cculd be no question that the feeling of the farmers was very strong that the present was the time to resist the encroachment of the slaughtermen.

FIGHT MUST COME SOONER OR LATER. '., In conversation with another gentleman who is familiar with the position, a reporter was informed .that the farmers generally recognise that some such fight has to come sooner or later. It'would suit them very well to have it jußt now, because there is i any amount of feed in the paddocks, and stock can be kept without difficulty. A stoppage of the meat works now would not hurt the average farmer very much for these reasons. The only men who would really suffer are those who make a business of topping off eheep and cattle for the slaughter pens. They have very large numbers of beasts fattening on comparatively small areas, and depend on the freezing workß taking the stock when it reaches prime condition. , '

THE LAST STRIKE AT PETONE The last strike at Petone and Ngahauranga occurred a few years ago, when the men were refused a demand for 25s per 100 far sheep The men were not out for very long, the trouble being ended on the concession of 235. , Three years back the slaughtering rate for sheep was raised to 25s per 100 al! over New Zealand under the agreement which will expire at the end of this month.

Masterton, Tuesday. A number of settlers' sons in the Masterton- district; have expressed their willingness to do the slaughtering at the freezing works in the district should the slaughtermen refuse to work. It is thought that no difficulty would be experienced, in securing the serviced of from 50 to 100 capable butchers. "More than that," said a farmer, "our sons are willing to load the ships should the necessity arise."