THE SLAUGHTERMEN’S STRIKE

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXI, Issue 8752, 28 February 1907, Page 2

THE SLAUGHTERMEN’S STRIKE

Per Press Association. Duneuix, February 27.

Mr Wilson, Working-Manager at Bumside, says good butchers there have been earning from 15s to 20s a day, and their average working day was rarely more than eight hours; If anyone had cause of complaint, he said, it was the employers. Latterly work had been more or less slovenly, the men rushing through to make big money. There was no doubt, ho added, that their reason for going out was that they were frightened of being boycotted by others, for they had everything to gain and nothing to lose by standing to their work. Thg Position at Christchurch. ukbistohliech:, February 27., The position as regards the strike to-day is that, although the men are still out, a settlement is in view. The men are out at all the Canterbury works, and the strike is strictly maintained. The only, important event is the appearance of the Slaughtermen’s Union for the first time since the trouble arose. It now takes part iu the trouble. Messrs Bryce (vice-president), Monro (secretary) and Philpots (treasurer) waited upon Mr Waymouth, manager of the Canterbury Co., and had an interview. Their object was to explain the reason why the Union had not replied to the letters sent in to it by Messrs Waymouth and Murray on behalf of the companies. The deputation had other objects, and went as mediators in the dispute, unofficially placing suggestions before Mr Waymouth. These wore briefly discussed and the deputation informed a reporter that they hoped a settlement would be come to in a few days. Mr Bryce said it was impossible to reply to the Companies letter on account of the dispute between Mr Birt, the Union President, and some members. His sending in his resignj ation, which _wasi accptcd, crippled the executive, which was left without a quorum. The remaining officers decided that it would he useless to call a meeting. At the time nearly every member of the Union was acting on his own responsibility, and the Union was quite disorganised. A special meeting of the Union was necessary to elect a new president, and three days’ notice was necessary. No steps would therefore be taken to fill the vacancy, and the Executive considered itself powerless to act. The deputation explained the position to Mr Waymouth, who was satisfied with explanation. The executive was anxious to do the best to bring about an understanding. He knew that the companies were willing to deal with properly authorised representatives of the Union, and to offer terms j that would, be suitable and had decided to give the men a: week to consider the position. The Union had not sanctioned ■ the strike. The subject was not even discussed by The members. The executive had done its best to avert the strike. ’ A meeting was to he called at once, and Mr , Bryce was sanguine that their conditions would he accepted with some modifications, the companies would be likely to ' agree to. A Strike of Two. Napiek, February 27. Two of the slaughtermen of the North . British and Hawke’s Bay Freezing Co. i have gone out to-day, but so far none of i the others have done so. InvßßOAnoiiii., February 27. ’ The position of affairs in Southland in regard to the strike has not materially altered since yesterday. The Mataura hands ' killed all the sheep ready yesterday, but stopped work soon after starting this morning. They “go out ”in sympathy with the general movement. A conference between employers and three representative of the strikers was held some time yesterday, but was kept dark. It is understood that the employers submitted counter proposals, and that these had been referred back to the men. 1 Gisbohne, February 27. The situation in regard to the freezing work’s trouble is unchanged. It is reported that the butchers at Nelson Bros.’ i Works intend to diminish the number . killed each day. The Gisborne Sheep ; Farmers’ Coy. have convened a meeting of sheep farmers for Saturday afternoon, and issue a notice. requesting that all persons, whether, skilled slaughtermen or . not, prepared to accept employment as butchers at the Company’s works, communicate with the manager. The works are to re-open on Monday. Any of the strikers may apply for work on Saturday. Any award will be made retrospective. Gop.e, February 27. The butchers at the Mataura freezing works, 1G in number, struck this afternoon after killing 630 sheep that were in the pens. It is stated on fairly reliable authority that intimation reached the Mataura butchers from the North that if they did not go out they would bo boycotted by the Northern unionists. The strike is confined entirely to the killing of sheep. Beef will ho killed as usual. Welling'los February 27. The Acting-Premier, the Hon. HallJones, in reply to the telegram from Mr De Latour, managing director of the Gisborne Sheep Farmers’ Coy., suggesting the advisability of the Government arranging for the immediate despatch from England or tho Capo of a hundred butchers as assisted immigrants, telegraphed as follows: —In reply to ycur telegram, which reached me this morning, I am of opinion that proceedings now ponding before the Arbitration Court will supply the remedy and meet the difficulty you refer to. Invebcahgill, February 28. Tho Minister of Labour corrects a mis-statement that ho had instructed the Arbitration Court to deal with strike matters before dealing with other work. What he had done was to request the Court to deal with the strike cases as expeditiously as possible. He adds that it would be obviously improper for him, as head of tho Department, to dream of issuing auy instructions to au independent Court appointed by Act of Parliament. There are no fresh developments as regards the strike, hut it is expected negotiations now proceeding will result iu au amicable settlement. GiSßOENE,~Fehruary 28. There is no change in the industrial situation and no killing is- going on at Gisborne works. At NelOnKisTCHUBCH, February 28. Farmers all over Canterbury are coming formard with offers of casual labour to help to keep the freezing worps going. The Belfast works started this morning with 13 casual labourers. The Crown prosecutor, Mr Stringer, instructed by the Labour Department, has issued 150 citations against tho men on strike. A mectof men will bo held this evening to discuss the position. It is expected they will decide to resume work, sou’s the men in attendance are again slaughtering at tho rate of one lamb per hour as yesterday. Namek, February 28. The temporary trouble at the North British freezing works has boon settled and ■ tho men have resumed work at tho old rate. They have not been offered 255, but promises of increase were made by tho manager. CiiEisTcuuKcir, February 28. There is no change to-day iu tho strike. The men are still out and the freezing industry is stopped.