SLAUGHTERMEN'S STRIKE.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXI, Issue 8765, 16 March 1907, Page 2

SLAUGHTERMEN'S STRIKE.

Per Press Association, CimsTOHuncH, March 16. Mr Justice Cooper, in giving judgment in the attachment oases heard to-day, said the Court must look to the object of issuing the writ of attachment, and as this was not for a civil debt or a penalty in respect of a contract, the Court had power to issue the writ. Tho fine was not in the nature of a debt or damages or a penalty for breach of contract. It was a punishment or, in the strict sense, a penalty. The application, would, therefore, be granted in all the cases except the one withdrawn ami tho one dismissed. The applicant would bo granted leave to issue the writ and the defendants would be taken into custody and brought before the Court at 10.30 a.m. to-morrow. Mr Stringer, who prosecuted, suggested that, in order to avoid the indignity of aiyest the men might undertake to present themselves at the Court at the time specified. His Honor said that was a matter with which he had nothing to do. s; The Court then rose. Subsequently the men were released on the local Labor Department giving an undertaking that they would appear again in tho morning. Invercargill, March 13. There is little fresh to report in regard to the position of the strike in Southland, At Mataura butchers nro killing 100 a day, and it is hoped that next week the number will be increased to 110. Several of the sixteen at work at Wallacetown it is reported, are not killing more than fifty a day a-piece. Enquiries for butchers are now being made in the north. A Morton Mains farmer told a Southland Times reporter yesterday that tho strike would cause export growers to lose considerably. Many found it necessary to turn lambs on to half-matured turnips, which Was waste. They were not in sympathy with strikes, but wo dd have cheerfully paid the extra money to have the stock taken off their hands. Christchurch, March 15. The companies are still killing “freezers” with increasing boards of casual workers at their various factories. With regard to the citation of tho Union to appear before the Arbitration Court in connection with the application for a now award, Mr Wm, Murray, general manager of the Christchurch Meat Co., stated to-day that ho could see no reason at present why it should be withdrawn. Supposing an appeal to tho Arbitration Court was found necessary it mattered nothing from which side tho appeal came. End of the Strike. Wellington, March 10. Tho Minister of Labour announced to a deputation this evening that ho had received information that tho strike was ended, tho slaughtermen having decided to return to work on Monday. Representatives of tho Union and employers, ho said, had agreed to leave leave matters , in dispute to the Arbitration Court to - adjust. Conditions of Settlement. Christchurch, March 10. Tho slaughtermen’s strike has ended. ■ A conference between tho representatives - of the freezing companies and the Union 3 was held this afternoon, and the following ) conditions were agreed to: —Work to ) commence at 7 a.m. on fivo days in tho week and cease at 5 p.iu with ten minutes i smoko oh! in tho morning and ten t minutes in the afternoon, provided that, l in order to cut out any mob which may . bo on hand at five o’clock, not over three - sheep or lambs per man may be slaughf tored after that .hour, or on any one day 7 preceding a holiday fivo sheep or 3 lambs per man. On Saturdays work shall commence, at 7 a.m. and cease at 12 o’clock with ten minutes smoke-oh, pror vided that, in order to cut out, up to five sheep or lambs per man may be killed after that hour. All potter sheep to bo paid for at tho rate of 18s per 100, prej servers 20s per 100, freezing sheep and lambs 23s per 100, pigs up to lOOlbs 9d s each, over lOOlbs Is each, bullocks 2a each, calves Is each. Shop sheep) to bo killed by piece work as at present at ’ 25s per hundred. Bams other than lamb rams 4d each. No dead sheep to be skinned. Killing and dressing' sheep and lambs to consist of killing, cleaning, taking off skin, shanks with wool piece, taking inside out, wiping and thoroughly cleaning, putting on neckstrings and butcher’s tags; .Butchers will be supplies with gambles and ’ tags at the hooks. Butchers to pay for damage to carcase or skins, but no fine to be inflicted until two personal warnings per 100 carcases per man have been given; Fines to be Is for damage to carcase and 6d - for damage to skin. Slaughtermen to wait 3 15 minutes in the event of a cut out, but : after that time to be paid Is 3d per hour. Grindstones to be provided for every 25 ’ men, all sheep to be penned before being ‘ killed. The following to be holidays : New ‘ Year’s Day, Good Friday, Easter • Monday, Prince of Wales’Birthday, Labor ? Day, Christmas Day, Boxing Day, reigning . sovereign’s birthday, and picnic day. No work to be done on above holidays or Sundays, save for local requirements for four hours as existing at present. No obscene language to be permitted, and any employee ■ guilty of same, after having bean once 1 warned, will be liable to instant dismissal. Work will be resumed at the factories on Monday morning. Cmusrcnrßcn, March 16.

There is a general feeling of satisfaction in the city that the trouble with the slaughtermen has heeu settlied. The men ceased work on February SGth, nearly three weeks ago. The men counting loss of wages and fines for striking have lost about £3O each. The men are either paying the fines or making arrangements to pay by instalments of £1 a week and will start work on Monday morning.