SLAUGHTERMEN'S STRIKE.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXI, Issue 8762, 13 March 1907, Page 2

SLAUGHTERMEN'S STRIKE.

No Faith In Arbitration. Per Press Association. Chbistchukch, March 12. The mediation of Messrs T; H. Davey and Geo. Witty, M.'slLß., in connection with the slaughtermen's dispute, has' proved ineffective. The Union accepted their offer to do what they could, but explained that they had quite lost faith in the Arbitration Court, and would have nothing to do with it. A copy of the proposed new log was given to Messrs Davey and Witty for the purpose of conferring with the two companies. A confereneo was held this morning, but the manager of the companies absolutely refused to discuss the matter except on the Arbitration Court basis. Messrs Davey and Witty reported to that effect at a special meeting of the Union, held to-night, and were thanked and cheered for their services. The Union affirmed the position that it would not take less than 25s a hundred, and, while it was willing to enter into an industrial agreement with the companies, it would have nothing to do with the Arbitration Court. The position consequently is exactly where it was before and the men are trying to get othor work. At a largely-attended meeting of the General Labourers Union to-night a motion was adopted expressing sympathy with the slaughtermen in their present trouble. Cheistchubch, March. 13. The attempts of Messrs Davey and Witty, M.H.R.'s, to mediate between the slaughtermen and the companies were a failure and seem to preclude any hope of settlement in the near future. The Union last night refused absolutely to submit the case to the Arbitration Court, showing indisposition to compromise. The companies yesterday informed the mediators that they are still willing to secure an award from the Court and make the new scale of killing rates retrospective to the date of recommencement of works. The Union would not accept the offer. The Union had placed before it last night a proposal that it offer to abandon other items in the demands if the killing rate of 35s is conceded, but the suggestion was unhesitatingly rejected. The men stated they were determined to insist on all asked for. The President of the Union this morning stated that though the men intended to insist on the mainpoints of the demand, namely, 25s for killing and nine hours a day, they were prepared- to discuss the other points with the companies. If tho latter offered 25s Gd a hundred for freezers, 18s for potters instead of 25s for freezers and 20s for potters they would consider the matter and probably arrive at a settlement. Meantime work is proceeding at the freezing works and new hands are coming forward and working. A fairly largo number of sheep is daily dealt with and should tho strike result merely in the engagement of complete new b Dards of slaughtermen there will be quite a number of moderatelyTskilled hands available next season.