ALLEGED OFFER TO BUTCHERS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8360, 21 February 1913, Page 7

ALLEGED OFFER TO BUTCHERS

“MR REARDON QUITE WRONG.” Press Association, PALMERSTON, February 20. In reference' to a statement made to tho Wellington press by Mr M. JReardon, secretory of the Slaughtermen's Union, regarding an agreement arrived at between the butchers at the Longbum Freezing and Messrs Wilson and Canham, of Auckland, to slaughter a lino of hulls for 4s a head, which was 100 per cent, higher tte Wellington killers were receiving under the last award, a local business man states that no such thing as an offer of 4s per head was made by Wilson and Canham. The firm wired from, Auckland to Palmerston to ascertain , upon what terms the butchers could be'induced to kill a lino of bulls. A reply was sent that the local butchers were willing to till at 4s per head, provided they got permission from tho union. Wilson and Oanham’s reply to this was that negotiations must come through the freezing company, who would only allow the present rate, 3s per head, to be charged. 'EEs price was accepted by the butchers, after getting tho necessary permit from Wellington. Mr Reardon’s statement that a 100 per cent, rise had teen offered was nob correct, and .this is explained by the fact that Longbum had always paid 3s per head for slaughtering bulls as against 2s and 2s 6d paid elsewhere. It will therefore be seen that even if the offer' of 4s per head had been accepted: by Wilson and, Canham it would only have been a rise of 331-3rd per cent, over the old price. As this offer was never accepted. Mr Reardon was quite wrong in stating that such an agreement had been entered into.