SLAUGHTERMEN’S STRIKE.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 18, 20 January 1913, Page 2

SLAUGHTERMEN’S STRIKE.

BOTH SIDES FIRM

(Per Press Association.) v Wellington, January 19

Following ,on the ultimatum issued by the meat export companies after the conference on Friday, the various unions throughout the Dominion have been informed of that decision. It is not expected that the men will go back on the ballot which concluded some days ago, when it was decided by a largo majority to refuse the rate of 27s 6d per 100. The Secretary of the Wellington District Union( Mr. M. J. Reardon) was approached yesterday by the companies, as represented at Petone and Ngahauranga, asking if in the event of the stock being provided the butchers would kill until January 31. The men at both works, at a meeting- held after lunch, decided unanimously that they would not operate after Monday next, no matter what quantity of stock.

The ‘Evening Post’ yesterday stated that it was authorised to deny the statement (telegraphed from Gisborne) that the company at Waingawa has offered 30s per 100. Wellington, January 20.

A meeting, of Christchurch slaughtermen on Satin'd ay night informally considered the offer of the companies, and rejected it. The secretary says he has the consent of the union to sign an agreement on the basis of 30s for twenty years. The men will insist upon the wages and the preference to learners’ clause demands.

POSITION AT CHRISTCHURCH Christchurch, November 19.

No developments of an important character took place on Saturday in connection with the trouble between the freezing companies and slaughtermen. The public generally are awaking to the importance of the situation and the possibilities that may arise unless some satisfactory arrangement is arrived at between parties between the present time and the end of the month. Sir George Clifford (chairman of directors of the Canterbury Frozen Meat Company), Mr N. L. Macßeth (manager of the same company) and Mr W. Murray (manager of the Christchurch Meat Company) returned on Saturday from Wellington, after attending the conference of representatives of the moat companies of the Dominion on the subject.

A reporter, on enquiring if there wore any further developments, was informed that the statement made by Sir Geo. Clifford, in Wellington, envored the situation up to the present. The secretary of,the union (Air 0. Were) was also seen, and was asked what the probabilities were, of the men accepting 27s (id per 100, hut. replied that he was not in a position to give any information on the subject. Asked what’'would ho done il the men declined the offer of 27s Gd, he said that he had dealt with that phase of the subject in the statement given on Friday. He spited that at a meeting of the union he intended io ask for authority to give a statement to the newspapers, in- reply to Sir Goo. Clifford. The meeting was held on Saturday night, hut the statement ns to what transpired will not he given till to-nigbt.