SLAUGHTERMEN'S DEMANDS

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVIII, Issue 81918, 25 February 1907, Page 2

SLAUGHTERMEN'S DEMANDS

I GLIAVE POSITION IN CANTRIiBUIi Y

Per Press Association. Christohureh February 23. Kumars joy- current that Monday will sue all the slaughtermen at the freezing works on strike. The Pareora strike is said to have been premature. The men meet tnnight lo decide on what action will he taken. The managers of hoth companies are reticent, but it is understood the position i* grave.

MEN'S DEMANDS PRESENTED TO-PAY. Per Press Association. CiinisTCJiuiicii, February 2-1 About one hundred and twenty slaughtermen, from Islington and 11.'1 fast works, held a meeting this afternoon, but the Press' was excluded, and the decision arrival at was carefully kept secret. It appears, however, that the officers cf tho Union, have from the first discouraged anything approaching a strike. Members of tlie Union, one from Islington, one from Fairfield, and one from Belfast, including Mr Munro, Secretary of the Union, attended this afternoon's meeting. Mr Munro read the Arbitration Act and pointed out the penalties for refusing to work. Another officer from Christehureh followed suit, after which the meeting, by .a unanimous motion, requested the ollicors of the Union to leave, which they did. It is understood the slaughtermen will submit their demands to both companies 10-morroiv. Au officer of the Union informed a reporter that he understood the action taken in different towns was independent, and that there had been no previous arrangement between the centres. LO.VdlilllN MEN'S DE.MA.VDS. I'er Press Association, l'alniorsloii N.. February 23. The slaughtermen employed by the .National .Mortgage Company at Longburn Freezing Works intimated that they required an increase in the killing rate from 20s per 100 to 235. The demand 'has becjn granted [pending an, award of the Arbitration Court. THE POSITION AT GISBORNE. Per Press Association. GisnoKXK, February 2d. Nothing definite can yet be stated regarding the attitude of the slaughtermen. The chairman of directors of the Gisborne Sheep Farmers' Company on Saturday slated the position is thi:i : The slaughtermen, 111 sympathy with the movement elsewhere, wrote asking for a rise in pay to 25s per 100, and certain other concessions. Prom the wording of their application, it was evident they were under the belief they could m.=ke such a demand as individuals and not as members of the Union. On it being pointed out to them that they must deline their position, they stated they desired to make it clear that their proposal for an increase in the killing rato comes from them as slaughtermen only. The Union as a body has taken no part in t lie matter. ' The directors had the matter under , consideration this morning, and while ipiite willing to treat with the men as to the proposals that they are advancing, it was extremely difficult to treat wilh them while they were openly professing to be independent of the existing award under which the factory is working. The directors will inform them that they are quite willing to reopen any negotiations for conciliation on their application, winch has been for some months pending the Courts sitting at Gisborne, and any agreement arrived at can then be submitted to Court for its approval. The directors regret the exceedingly long delay there has boon in tho Court not silting, and quile recognise any hardship there may 'be on the men Humours alloat as to the intentions of the men indicate that the situation is still grave.

Tin; court's decision.. Per Press Association. Wellington, February 23. The decision of the Arbitration Court is not likely to be delivered for some day.-, as the members of the Court leave for the South to-night.