SLAUGHTERMEN'S DISPUTE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 1057, 30 January 1913, Page 3

SLAUGHTERMEN'S DISPUTE.

Gisborne, January 28

The chairman of the Gisborne Sheep Farmers’ Company announces that, the men having made no answer to the offer made by the conference of 27s 6d with unaltered conditions of work they must theiefore be presumed to stand upon their notice to cease work on the 31st inst. Therefore, it becomes necessary for the company to see that steps be taken to protect the interests of farmers. The factory will not close down unless labour is proved to be unobtainable. Every effort is to be made to keep the factory going. Expert men are now earning over £j per week, and this, at the rale now offered, will rise to nearly £8 per week. Christchurch, Jan. 28.

The slaughtermen at the Belfast and Smithfield works ceased work this afternoon. Nothing has been settled so far as to what will be the result of the trouble. There was no demonstration to day, the men leaving quietly. Wellington, Jan. 28.

There are likely to be some developments of importance very soon in connection with the slaughtering dispute. Both sides now appear to be making remove, but whether it is a move to-gether or a move still further apart, has yet to be demonstrated. On Friday another conference of representatives of the meat freezing companies is to be held in Wellington. It has been convened by Sir George Clifford, and will be practically a continuation of the conference which sat here on the 17th iust., and issued the ultimatum to the men, which expired last Friday.