THE SLAUGHTERMEN

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8339, 28 January 1913, Page 8

THE SLAUGHTERMEN

NO MOVE LOCALLY OPINIONS ON NEW WAINGAWA AGREEMENT. So far as can bo ascertained, the breakaway of the Wellington Farmers’ Meat Company has not in any way affected the attitude of the other meat freezing companies towards the slaughtermen. In Wellington the position appears to be unchanged; that is, the. Petouo and Ngahauranga works are still closed up and the men are having a holidav. The agreement entered into at Masterton on Saturday seems to be regarded with approval by those most immediately concerned. It is to come into force on Thursday, and will operate for three years thereafter. * POSITION AT WAINGAWA.

In an interview with a reporter in Masterton, Mr J. C. Cooper, manag mg director of the Wellington Farmers’ Meat Company, said that the agreement had been approved by the directors of the Company as a body. The general conditions were very little different from those that formerly existed, excepting in tho matter of tho rates of pay. Mr Cooper stated that tho company was in such a position financially that it could have closed its works for the next ton months without any serious financial embarrassment. The increase of wages from tho 27s 6d offered by the other companies to the 30s which this company had agreed to pay meant a difference of about £2OO for tbo remainder of the season. Had the works- been closed the loss to the district would represent many thousands, to say nothing of the loss of wages to other employees, amounting possibly to £15,000. It was these facts, and particularly tho position of tho settlers that had influenced tho company in its decision. Mr Cooper further stated that his company did not propose slaughtering stock for the clients of other companies. It had already refused offers in this direction, and would continue to do so. MEN WELL SATISFIED. Tho secretary of the Slaughtermen’s Federation, Mr M J. Reardon, who returned from Masterton yesterday, told a “Times” representative that the men were quite satisfied with the agreement, which, he believed, would be endorsed by the slaughtermen throughout New Zealand. They would, of course, have preferred to get their full demands, including the one-in-twonty learners’ provision and a few other items whose loss they regretted, but they recognised that they could hardly expect everything. When the main item, that of wages, was conceded them they felt they had to be somewhat., generous in other respects. “Is there any likelihood of a similar arrangement being made with other companies?” asked the reporter. “Well, I hope that negotiations with some other companies will be entered into during tho week,” was Mr Reardon’s reply. “Hare-you any reason to believe that such will happen?” “No, 1 have no.definite reason,” said Mr Hoardm, “beyond this: That I know how well some companies have treated their men over a long period of years. There is, for instance, tho firm of Thomas Borthwiok rnd Sons, who own the works at Paki Paid (near Hastings) and Waitara (near New Plymouth). They have been operating in Australia as well as New Zealand for a great many years, and have only had one dispute with their emplovees, r.nd that only lasted hMf-an-hour. They wore the only people who conceded the 25s rate during the trouble in 1907.”

WAINGAWA AGREEMENT ENDORSED BY MEN.

The agreement entered into by the men employed at the Waingawa works was endorsed at a meeting of slaughter* men which was held at Peton© last night. The meeting was attended by about 130 members of the Wellington Union, ex-employees of both the Petono and Ngahauranga works being present. Mr F. Nile presided. FARMERS’ UNION ATTITUDE. A Carterton correspondent informs the “Age” that a meeting of delegates from the various branches of the Farmers’ Union was held in that township on©'day last week, when the position in regard to the crisis was discussed. It was unanimously decided to recommend the companies to concede the demand of 30s per hundred for slaughtering, but to maintain the other conditions as at present. This resolution has, it is understood. been forwarded to the companies interested. Mr J. C. Cooper told an “Age representative that it is hoped to put through over 2000 sheep a day at the Waingawa works during the remainder of the season. Up till date, about 60,000 sheep have been slaughtered this season, which is fully 15,000 more than had been put through at the samp period last year. It is expected that more will be put through before tEo season ends. Last season the total number slaughtered was 189,800.