THE SLAUGHTERMEN

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8345, 4 February 1913, Page 11

THE SLAUGHTERMEN

LITTLE MOVE LOCALLY. Very little occurred yesterday to change the position which has arisen between tho meat freezing companies -mu mo slaugutermen. bo far as ri eltiagton is concerned, both sides appear to bo awaiting developments. It is not considered at all likely that either tho Ngahauranga or Petone works will bo able to secure sufficient freo labour to man the killing boards again. The gates of tho Ngahauranga works were thrown open at starting time yesterday morning in caso any men should be prepared to accept the offer of tho company, but, _ it is reported. not a man offered himself. Tho secretary of the union, Air M. J. Reardon, says this is only what could bo expected. The men generally aro quite determined not to give in, and so long as their organisation is not broken up they will not mind if a few weaklings go back. Air Reardon stated Also that ho was not at all surprised at tho nows that a few men had been found to kill at the Kaiti works, Gisborne. Tho union had expected this all along. In any case, tho shed required forty slaughtermen to man_ it properly. so that tho eight station hands who started yesterday would not do much. An. attempt to bring the two parties together was made at the end of last week by the Conciliation Commissioner, Air P. Hally, but it failed, as both rides had hardened up. Air Hally says that to-morrow ho will again approach both parties and submit to them proposals which he hoi>es will get over the present difficulty. DECISION OF CANTERBURY COMPANIES. APPLICATIONS FROM SLAUGHTERMEN INVITED, Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH. February 3. Tho two Canterbury freezing companies. tho Canterbury Frozen Aleat and Dairy Produce Company and tho Christchurch Aleat Company, have decided to call for applications from export slaughtermen and from learners to man tho killing boards at their works. The object is, of course, to end the present condition of affairs brought about by tie Slaughtermen’s Union declining to accept any lesser wage than 30s per hundred. The dispute has nowbeen in existence for nearly a week, and there are not wanting indications that some of the steadier man in the ranks Tsf the slaughtermen are anything but satisfied with the attitude taken up by tbe Ur ion, and probably Will be willing to resume work on the substantially increased rate offered by the companies. The full text of the notices issued by tho companies is as follows: “ This company is willing to receive applications from expert slaughtermen and learners to commence Work on date to be hereafter specified.” Priority of employment will be given in order of application; the rate to be 27s 6d per hundred. “Learners will be granted a minimum wage of fifteenperioe per hour until capable of earning more than that by pieceiyork. Full terms and conditions of eiriployment can be Been at tho works, or at this office,” i.e., the office of either company. It is anticipated that the publication of this notice will have the effect of bringing matters to a head, arid will possibly brid the present deadlock. Terms and conditions of. employment will be those decided upon at the conference, held recently, of representatives of freezing companies. Sir George Clifford, when seen by a reporter in respect to the notices issued by tho two Canterbury companies, stated that tho works of both companies would open with free labour. Ho desired the fact emphasised that as far as the Canterbury companies are concerned there is rib antagonism against the employment of union labour, and every opportunity would bo offered men who went on tothe slaughtering board to form a union registered under tho Industrial Conciliation' and Arbitration Act. The dornpanies were not fighting unionism, but only this particular phase of trouble. UNION TO STAND FIRM. Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH. February 3. The Canterbury Slaughtermen’s Union met to-night, but the meeting was not open to reporters. At the conclusion tho secretary communicated tho following report: “Tho meeting was very largely attended, and representatives were preserit from the freezing works at Fairfield, Smithfi'cld, arid Paredra. It was resolved, ‘That theuhion make a firm stand for 30s per hundred.’ “It,.was further reported that a majority of the men have got employment at harvesting, navvyirig, arid so on, and it is their present intention to remain at that class of work.” A reporter asked if any resolution was arrived at with reference to the employinent by the companies of free labour, arid tho secretary replied that there was nothing to report urider that head. He was also risked if any arrangements had been made for picketing, and the secretary replied that the union did not Work iri that way. FUEL BOARD EXPECTED TOMORROAV AT TOMOANA. Press Association. HASTINGS, February 3. The position in regard to the Slaughtermen’s dispute, in So far aa it conberns the local works; is unchanged. Alessrs Borthwick and Sons, Pakipaki, hrive riot received any applications for places on the killing board and the works have been closed down. Iri the mean time applications for “books” at Tomoana are coming in freely, and it is anticipated that tho works -null reopen on Wedriesday morning with a full board. The rate of pay will be tho same as that offered the men who went out, viz., 27s Cd per hundred. .Should anticipations be- realised slaughtering will be resumed on AVeduosday, and the necessity of dispensing With tho services of the hands in tho other departments will be obviated. Questioned by a reportet, one of the disputants said they had no intention of going back on their demands, and would fight to the bitter end. Referring to tho proposal of the companies ro man the boards with free labour the speaker said tho firms might be satisfied with their work, but he doubted if the farmers would put up with it for very long. BORTHWICK FIRM'S OFFER REJECTED. WAITARA, February 3. Tbe conference beld to-day between the management of the Borthwick works here and the butchers proved abortive, the latter rejecting the offer made them by the firm. They staie

that they are preparing a statement for che press. Meanwhile thej[ state that the old butchers are not going back. POSITION OF THE FABMEK. THE FREE LABOUR QUESTION. Mr J. H. Bishop, secretary of the Waingawa branch of the blaughtermen’s Union, in an interview wiUi an “Aire” representative on Saturday, e.\prefcd the opinion, that the deepen of tho conference m VelLngto Friday would have a very far-reaching effect. “Sir George Clilford, said Mr Bishop, “endeavours to make it appear that the companies are prompted in their action solely by a desire to conserve the interests of the farmer, tie states that if the demands of the men are conceded au annual outlay of not Less chan £IOO,OOO will be involved, and that ibe bulk of this sum will ultimately come out of tho pockets of the farming community. 1 do not know how ho arrives at his figures, but, on the basis of the increase at Waingawa, I should say that tho total outlay so far as extra wages are concerned, beyond wbat has been offered, will be not more than £IO,OOO per year. Where docs the other £90,000 come in? “I agree with Sir George that any concessions made will come oill of the pockets of the farmers. Tho experience in the past has shown that if a concession or one halfpenny per head is made to the men, the farmer has to pay, probably, one shilling per head. This, no doubt, accounts for the high dividends paid to shareholders, and the large reserve funds possessed by the ,big companies. I.. will put the question straight to the farmers: Can they not see that these big companies are exploiting both them and tho workers? The determination of these companies to close the works at the present time involves the farmers in a much bigger loss than that stated by Sir Georgs Clifford. They will probably lose tho whole profit of a, season, which will amount to considerably more than the £IOO,OOO. And what will the companies themselves lose? 1 am, informed, on what I believe to be reliable authority, that tho companies will make a good deal more than they lose by the closing down of tho works. But that xs not the point, so far as tho men are concerned. We should like to know xf a ballot of tho farmers has been taken to soo if they are favourable to losing a season. “The Farmers’ Union executive has staled that it endorses the action of the companies. Bilt how is tho executive composed? Is there one solitary member of the executive who has sheep for export this season ? Why has th« resolution passed by the Wairarapa branches of the Farmers’ Union, recommending the payment of 30s per hundred, not been communicated to Sir George Clifford ? It seems to mo that the companies have had no desire to meet the men from the very beginning. They are out to crush the union,, and that is plain from the free labour proposals of Friday. Bat they ate going to make tho farmer pay every time. I quit© agree With Sir George Clifford, that tho frozen meat industry is one organised machine, and that every department should receive a proportionate profit. , Does Sit George seriously assert that either the farmers or the workers have received a fair proportion of the profits of the past? And what of the losses? Is it fair that the companies, Which have received more than their fair share Of the profits, should slip Out at the back door and escape all the looses, leaving tho unfortunate farmer and the mien to carry tho baby ? The farmers are dancing to a very pretty- time that is being piped by the, close corporation that regulates the price of fats as well as of Wages. “The free labour proposal is very fine and large. Does tho farmer realise that he stands to lose heavily .by the employment of indifferent workmen? Is ho prepared to take tho risk of his meat going on to the London market in such a condition that its grade is reduced, from first class to third, class? And then, supposing free labourers and indifferent labourers are found—and I doubt veiy much that they will be—what will happen? My opinion is that it Will bo the beginning of one of tho greatest upheavals that this Dominion hiS ever seen. -The Waihi strike will be only a circiimstanbe compared with it. ASSISTANCE OFFERED IN WANGANUI. WORKS EXPECTED TO REOPEN ! IN A FEW DAYS. WANGANUI, February 3. The managing director of the Wanganui Meat Freezing Company states that the Company has received a, number of spontaneous offers of assistance. The directors held a meeting this rtibrhing and unanimously decided that immediate steps be taken to engage labour for the works, giving preference to old employees. The company intends using its best endeavours to reopen the works within the next .few days, and the managing director feels certain 'it will be successful in doing so. WORK RESUMED AT GISBORNE. FREE MEN.ON THE BOARDS. GISBORNE, February 3. Work has resumed at the Gisborne Sheepfarmers’ Kaiti works this morning with seven free labour slaughterers, and during the day others joined the board, though the exact number at present working is not available. In an official report the managing director, Mr C. A. lie Lautour, says: “Work was maintained to-day, and as a largo number of inquiries was made others are expected to join to-morrow. Every effort is being made to keep places for the men who have been iii employment, and who have given satisfaction. A largo tally is not being attempted. As soon as tho men harden up the pace can be increased; but not much is expected for the first few weeks. Fifteen shillings per -day is being paid to men who can kill sheep hilt who are unaccustomed to the fast methods of factory slaughterhouses, and 12s 6d per day is being paid for learners. Accommodation will be provided at tire works for the men if required." - At the Taruheru works, an official announcement to the press states, a board of eight or ten men is ready and till probably start in a day or two. The Tokoinaru Day correspondent of the Gisborne “Times” states that work ; s expected to he resumed at tho works there to-morrow with free labour—probably, not less than seven or eight men, rincipally station hands. Only about three slaughtermen have _ left Tokotnarti Bay, and the remainder (about fourteen) are expected to hang on for a iteek or two. Stock owners are riot anticipating any difficulty in holding their stock, hut buyers are not inclined to quote until they see how the new men shape on the board. The quantity of stock coming forward will

be regulated by the number the men are able to put through. “SYMPATHETIC'’ STRIKE MAYBE INVITED. GISBORNE, February 3. A full meeting of the slaughtermen to-night discussed tho dispute in tho new aspect of “scab” labour at the Kaiti works, and decided to send a deputation to wait on the Freezers' Union, probably with the idea of asking the freezers to come out in sympathy.