THE SLAUGHTERMEN’S TROUBLE.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 12, 13 January 1913, Page 2

THE SLAUGHTERMEN’S TROUBLE.

CANCELLATION GRANTED

(Per Press Association.)

Wellington, January 12

The hitch in the cancellation of the registration of the New Zealand Slaughtermen’s Union may be considered as overcome. Mr Rowley, acting for Mr J. Lomas (Secretary of Labour), has formally notified Mr M. J. Reardon (secretary of the Wellington Union) that there would be no objection on the part of the Department tp granting the cancellation of the Slaughtermen’s Federation. Yesterday Mr Rowley stated that after enquiries had been made, as required by the Act, it had been decided to cancel the registration of all the other unions throughout New Zealand, Canterbury at present excepted. In this case the Department was conducting its investigations by wire and letter, and it i,s not expected that there would be cause to refuse the cancellation in each and every instance. This was subject to these arising no Conciliation or Arbitration Court proceedings previous to the publication of such cancellations in next week’s Gazette. Present indications in regard to the big question of masters versus men are that both parties. are prepared for a test of strength. The companies have made no move beyond that chronicled some days ago—the offer of 27s 6d per 100, ? wRh fho old conditions,. including overtime.

THE GISBORNE DISPUTE. Gisborne, January 12. The district sheep farmers are prepared to assist the freezing companies of Gisborne and Tokomaru in any manner considered practicable to resist the demands of the slaughtermen. This fact was announced last evening by Mr Richard Sherratt, who yesterday presided over a meeting or seventy sheep farmers, convened to consider their position with regard to the slaughtermen’s dispute. The following resolutions were carried unanimously: “That in the opinion of this meeting, as any increase in expenditure on the part of the freezing companies will fall upon the producers, the demands of the slaughtermen to increase the rate to 30s per IdO, and to impose vexatious conditions upon the freezing companies, should be resented; that in the event of a strike taking place, the farmers recommend the freezing companies at Gisborne and Tokomaru to rely upon, volunteer labour, and this meeting undertakes that all those in attendance, will individually use every effort to supply suitable labour as it .may be required.”

Mr Sherratt states that in the event of a strike the sheep farmers are pre-

pared to find sufficient free labour to man the boards, and should the employment of free labour at the boards cause an extension of such a strike to the wharves or elsewhere, they are also prepared to see their meat safely shipped. All the farmers present also indicated their willingness to hold their stock in case of need.