SLAUGHTERMEN’S STRIKE.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 28, 1 February 1913, Page 8

SLAUGHTERMEN’S STRIKE.

WORK STOPPED AT WANGANUI

(Per Press Association.)

Wanganui, January 31

The slaughtermen at the local Meat Freezing Company, whose agreement expired to-day, having finished the stock on hand, ceased work at midday, gathering up their belongings quietly and leaving the works. The local slaughtermen have agreed to kill all the stock required for local consumption.

HASTINGS WORKS TO CO OUT

Hastings, January 31

The notice given by the slaughtermen at Tomoana and Pakipaki freezing works of their intention to cease vfcrk unless their demands were acceded to- expired to-day. About 3300 sheep were killed at the Tomoana works, leaving the yards empty when the men finished killing just on the stroke of 3 o’clock this afternoon. There was no demonstration of any kind, and after gathering up their knives and sharpening stones they walked off the premises quietly, as if nothing had happened. Interviewed by a ‘Tribune’ repo ter, Mr. W. Nelson, managing director for Messrs. Nelson Bros., Ltd., said that the offer of 27s 6d per 100 sheep was still open, but would not be exceeded. There would be no killing to morrow, but he expected to start slaughtering again either on Tuesday or Wednesday. Anticipating the stoppage of work to-day, the management at Pakipaki did not re-stock' the pens, and the men finished off last night, giving a mild cheer as they left the works. Notices are still posted that the hoards are open for any who like to tak? engagements at 27s fid, under the same conditions as provided in the award. The works were cleaned down to day,

and everything will be in re. diness for resuming slaughtering when a sufficient number of men show their willingness to turn to. He added; “We do

not anticipate much trouble in obtaining men to man the boards, and own if diliieulty is experienced we will still do it; and when the works re-open it will

he only on the basis of free labour. If a sufficient number of our old hands do not apply- for work to-morrow we shall bo open to receive applications on Monday morning from outside butchers until our hoard is full.” THE POSITION AT WAIT AHA. The slaughtermen employed at Messrs. Borthwick and Son’s freezing works at Waitara, yesterday ceased work immediately after cutting out at

about 4 p.m. The works will therefore be closed pending the settlement of the dispute.

GISBORNE ON STRIKE,

Gisborne, January 31

At Nelson Bros’ Taruheru works, the Gisborne Farmers’ Company’s works at Kaiti, and the Tokomaru Sheepfarmei-s’ Meat Company, Ltd., all the men ceased work to-day, theii arrangements having expired. Seventy, slaughtermen in all are affected.

THE COMPANIES’ FIRM STAND

Wellington, January 31

The freezing companies of New Zealand have again definitely refused to accede to the demands made upon them by the slaughtermen. The companies re-offer the terms originally put forward by them, but now submit them for acceptance by any men in or out of the union ranks. are the main decisions arrived at by a conference of representatives of freezing companies which was held in Wellington to-day. The conference was attended by representatives of every company in New Zealand save Waingawa, which last week made a new agreement with the men on its own account, and Nelson, a small concern which only employs three butchers.