SLAUGHTERMEN'S STRIKE.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VII, Issue 539, 5 February 1913, Page 5

SLAUGHTERMEN'S STRIKE.

STOCK MARKET AFFECTED

The slaughtermen's strike is still in the same position. The majority of the slauhtermen in Wellington Hawkea' Bay, and other southern districts are now out on strike, but work is likelv to "continue in some of the works with the aid of sheep farmers and others. The freezers at Gisborne, who embody the general hands employed at the various works, have decided not to go out" on strike in sympathy with the slaughtermen. The freezers belong to a separate organisation, but it is held by the executive of the Slaughtermen's Union that if the freezers are asked to come out they will join the butchers. It is reported that the slaughtermen's strike has had the effect of bringing more or less to a standstill the fat and store sheep market. There are no buyers about who are prepared to give prices realised of late, while vendors are not forced to sell just yet, there being plenty of feed. The strike is also affecting the farmer's pocket very deeply. Those fat sheep which should have been sent off to be killed this week will have to remain on his hands and eat the rape intended for the next batch; he cannot turn them off or their condition will go down. The general practice is to buy young ewes every year, take lambs from each, and fatten the mother. At present many have these fattened ewes ready to bo sent away. Noc being able to do this, many farmers will I find themselves starting the new season with a double dose of &w eß -&mm*