SECURE CONCESSION

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8339, 27 January 1913, Page 11

SECURE CONCESSION

WALVGAWA COMPANY At PETS THE MEN. WORKS REMAIN OPEN. Though no chango has taken place in regard to the slaughtermen s dispute as it affects the two (■oinpauieb operating in tho immediato vicinity ot Wellington, a very important development m tile general position has just occurred, and may lead to unexpected results. At various times during last week it was asserted that tho Wellington Farmers.’ Meat Company, a cooperative concern with works at uingawa, had given in to tho demands or tho men for an advance in tho killing rate to 30« per hundred, but tho rumour was Just as often denied. It was said that tho company was standing firm with tho other freezing concerns in tho decision of tho recent conference to give 27b Od per hundred and no more. WAITING TILL AFTER FRIDAY. About tho middle of tho week a Press Association telegram from Mastorton stated that inquiries had shown that there was no foundation for report that tho company had offered 30s per hundred to tiio men. Tho niessago added that i.t was not considered that any more would bo made by the company, if it made any at all, until after Friday. . Friday was tho day upon whicli expired tho ultimatum of the freezing company’s conference to tho slaughtermen. Tho ultimatum contained, “once more and finally,” an offer of a rise to 27s fki per hundred and a rejection of all tho other demands made. WILLING TO NEGOTIATE.

Up till Friday night nothing had transpired, but on Saturday morning the announcement was made that the Wellington Farmers’ Meat Company was willing to enter into negotiations with the Slaughtermen’s Union, with a view to effecting a sottloment of the dispute so far as it affected tho Waingawa works. Tho indication then was that the company would break away from the associated companies, and that tho now agreement, if arrived at, would como into operation on Thursday next, the 30th inst., the day before the notice to ceaso work expires and tho day on which the old agreement runs oat. CONFERENCE HELD. On Saturday morning tho secretary of tho Slaughtermen’s Federation, Mr M. J. Reardon, proceeded to Masterton, whore, with Mr Bishop, he was to represent tho men in tho conference with representatives of tho company. Mr Reardon is not expected to return to Wellington until this afternoon, so that no information as to the result of tho conference was to ho obtained locally. SERIOUS BUT NOT UNEXPECTED. The position as it presented itself on Saturday was regarded by representatives of the Wellington companies as being serious, in that it indicated a hroaldng-up of tho solidarity of tho associated companies. With success secured at Wamgawa it was regarded as inevitable that tho Slaughtermen’s Federation would go further and seek to conclude now agreements with other co-operativo companies. Tho breakaway of the Mastertou company was not altogether unexpected, because it has always been regarded by tho slaughtermen as being ono of tho most likely in the Dominion to concede their demands. Tho slaughtermen knew they could expect more sympathy from a concern run by small farmers, than from the big companies whoso shareholders arc mostly city business men and capitalists. It is stated that at tho recent conference of companies in Wellington a delegate from the country moved that tho men bo given tho 30s per hundred asked for, but ho was easily outvoted by representatives coming from tho cities.