CALM BEFORE STORM

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8346, 5 February 1913, Page 9

CALM BEFORE STORM

LARGER FARMERS SPOILING FOtt FIGHT. ■ MAJORITY IN FAVOUR OF 1 SLAUGHTERMEN. Special to the 'Tfimes.'' MASTERTON, February 4. Farmers and others who have given the present slaughtermen's trouble careful attention consider that the. quietness of matters in, connection with tiie trouble is ft» ominous sign. The general opinion, i« that there is something about the position which indicates serious trouble—the calm 'before the storm. Both sides appear to bo determined, a»<| if there Was a possibility of the dispute being confined to the slaughtermen alone, perhaps no great harm would be done, but it is anticipated that the trouble will not end there, and that the waterside workers will participate* When the slaughtered stock has been conveyed to the seaport the waterside workers may re-, fuse to handle it. Even if the difficulty at this stage were got over, by the securing of free labour (not by the farmers 5 sons loading the vessels, which is generally considered an absurd proposal and not seriously entertained/ further trouble would very likely be met with, The firemen on the Home-ward-bound steamers concerned m the trade would possibly refuse to work the steamers carrying mutton handled by free labour. "The position i& a most serious one, and it is certainly to be hoped thav common sense on both sides will: prevail and an uaderstanding arrived at whien will put an end to the trouble, states a local farmer who speaks with a good knowledge of the position. "There are some of the larger farmers spoiling for a fight, but the great bulu of the farming community are, I am sure, in favour of the granting of the wtra half-crown per hundred sheep There are many who regret the attitude taken up by the Dominion executive of the Farmers' Union, especially if, as stated, not one of these members owtm » single export sheep. The resolution of the Wairarapa branch of the Union favouring the granting of the 30s per iiundred to the men appears to represent the views; of the great bulk of the men who will suffer most through » continuation of tlic trouble—the small farmers. It is the latter who stand to Another farmer considers that tha local freezing company, adopted a wise course in granting the 30s, and that both the company and the small iaimers, who comprise the bulk of the shareholders, will reap the benefit. The attitude of the Farmers' Union Executive certainly did not represent the views of the' farming community as a ■•■.•hole. Those farmers who are spoiling for a fight will get it directly, he said, "and they will have a strike from one -ml of Nev Zealand to the other. Tha iinall farmer does not want a strike. He is quite agreeable to grant the. men's demands and the big man will find the small farmer ranged against iiiui in any struggle that may come."