Second Edition SLAUGHTERMEN’S STRIKE.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 29, 3 February 1913, Page 5

Second Edition SLAUGHTERMEN’S STRIKE.

THE POSITTO XIX GISBORNE. (Per Press Association.) Gisborne, February 2. Considerably over 100 sbeep farmers, including some of the .most prominent in Poverty Bay, met on Saturday in connection with the ■bu igliterrnen’s dispute. The official announcement to the press was: “Thai! the sheep farmers of this district are unanimous to stand by the companies through thick and thin, and they will see that labour is forthcoming should it be required.” Several names of men willing to do duty at the killing board if required were handed in. The names were those of station hands said to be adept with the knife. ft was stated on behalf of the Kaiti works that the companies Had secured six slaughtermen willing to start on Monday morning on the. company’s terms, and the works will open with a beard -of about a dozen slaughtermen. The Tokomaru works have so cured 11 slaughtermen to start on -Monday, and it is hoped that a start will be made at Tarnbera in a day or two. The decision of the freezers union not to strike in sympathy witli the slaughtermen is being much discussed, and the secretary of the Slaughtermen’s Union told a reporter that lie, with most of the/slaugh termen, believed that the freezers had taken a right and proper course. Hiunion had not asked the freezers to do anything yet. There was no agreement between them, but he felt sure that they would act as the slaughtermen’s body requested them to. The Slaughtermen’s Union will meet on Monday night and a suggestion is made that they will then ask the freezers to strike in sympathy. Gisborne, February 3. The Sheep-farmers’ Frozen Meat I Company started killing operation' to-day with seven men. More unexpected during the day, and no diffi culty is anticipated in carrying on. AT HASTINGS. Hastings, February 2. The number of butchers who dov tied tools at the works in Hawke’s Bay is, Tomoana 35, Pakipaki 23, North British 18. The action of the but chers has raised considerable bitterness towards them from those engaged in other branches of the' works, and the latter naturally resent the unfairness of having their employment jeopardised by those who Rave been earning in some cases, treble their own wages, and who constitute only 15 per cent, of the total number of men employed at the works. IN CHRISTCHURCH. Christchurch, February 2. A meeting of the Canterbury Slaughtermen’s Union will be held on Monday evening to further discuss matters in connection with the dispute. A reporter endeavoured to obtain from the secretary of the Union some information as to the business to be dealt with by the meeting, but lie was unsuccessful. The secretary stated that 1 a could give no information in the subject He added that whatever decision was arrived at by the meeting would be <lrst communicated to the freezing companies. He was asked if he would say anything regarding the result of the conference of freezing companies held in Wellington on Friday, but lie stated that any reply to the statements contained in the telegram conveying the results if the conference would be made by the Union. UNSUCCESSFUL EFFORTS AT SETTLEMENT. Wellington, February 3. | Mr Halley, Conciliation Commie sioner, has unofficially been endeavouring to bring the parties in the slaughtermen dispute together with a view to settlement, but, so far, has failed. He says the parties appear hardened up, and the chances of settlement on ordinary lines are not bright. He intends to again approach both sides on Wednesday and submit certain proposals, which may get over the difficulty. Mr Halley does not think there is the slightest chance of a general strike. WELLINGTON WOOL SALES. Wellington, February 3. The catalogue for Friday’s wool sale contains 16,080 bales, compared with 13,729 for the corresponding sale of last year.