THE MEAT STRIKE

Marlborough Express, Volume XLVII, Issue 34, 8 February 1913, Page 7

THE MEAT STRIKE

COMPANIES' POSITION.

"NOT FIGHTING UNIONISM."

Thursday's Wellington Post says: — With reference to the advertisement from the two local companies, which appears h\ 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 when we should make it quite clear to slaughtermen, intending learners, and iothersv-that this company's works are compulsorily idle, and that, as may be expected, we are anxious ,and ready to make a restart. Naturally. we would' have such .recommencement should be with trained men, but this being impracticable at present, we are willing to provide hooks for other sections of workers able to slaughter and dress, and for learners-. From ths's it -will 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 ,oi"' any other union of workers. If their cessation from -work effected' them touly it would be a 'comparatively small matter, but they are forcing unemployment on probably more than ten. -james their -owe mimbovs, and this . without the excuse, of insufficient pay.' I

"Various -reasons are asswted for for the .registration just effected. amongst them /being the .intention to frustrate the. registration of a new union. From thlis it is reasonable to infer that the formation of such a new union is imminent. In any case, it would .appear that there is a lack, of unanitmity even perhaps in their own ranks. I prefer, however, to think that it rather indicates a desire, now thafr their tactftcs. liavo saved: them from pains and penalties, to neeognise tlie spirit of the law once more, a*i& I hope that it is the forerunner of the acceptance of th<> 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all companies, to submit to and loyally abide by the decision of the Arbitration Court, This proposal has never, been withdrawn by the companies, and is still open to the Slaughtermen's Unions. Xt will be entirely at _ their door if £h<* present unemployment of large numbers of operatives continues."