WORK AND WAGES.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVI, Issue 3, 8 May 1913, Page 3

WORK AND WAGES.

[Per Press Association.] Timaru, May G. Regarding the Smithfield butchers’ strike, the only definite news is that more men have boon taken on, and that forty are on the hoard to-day. All the other men ai - e in their places. The trouble has spread to the Pareroa works, where the unionist butchers knocked off this afternoon, five men staying on. The s.s. Zealandic, which had lain in the roadstead for some days, owing to bad weather, came in this morning to load moat and other produce. The wartersiders declined to turn to on the general cargo. It is understood that they will hold a meeting to-morrow morning to decide whether to work her or not, after hearing from the secretary, who went north with Mr P. C. Webb to-day. The striking butchers and watersiders invited the managers of the freezing works and shipping to a conference this morning, but the managers declined. The Smithfield manager said that the time for a, conference was gone by. There was nothing to confer about, and ho did not want to be dragged into any other dispute. Both freezing companies say that they will not take on again any of the butchers who have gone out, and will have no more to do with them. As regards loading the Zealandic, exporters say that they will find men if the watersiders refuse the work, and if they try to block the boat at other ports they will find men for these Also.