SLAUGHTERMEN'S STRIKE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 219, 4 February 1913, Page 5

SLAUGHTERMEN'S STRIKE.

"I FUEE I.Alio!! To THE I!ESC[ E. (Kid!) PIinsPKCTS OF lIE-STARTINC THE POSITION IN CIIRISTCIHIU'II. Ter Press Association. Chrisuhurch, Last Night. The two Canterbury freezing coin'panics the Canterbury Froy.cn Meat ami Dairy Produce Company, and the Cbristcliurch Mint ■Company have decided to call for applications from expert slaughtermen and from learners to man the killing boards at their works. The object is, of course, to end the prcsi cut, condition of affairs, brought about by the Slaughtermen's Union declining to accept any lesser wage than 30s per 100. The strike has now been in existence' for nearly a week, and there are not, wanting indications that some of the steadier men in the ranks of the slaughtermen ere anything but satisfied with the attitude I.;: ken up in* the I'nion, and will be probably willing to rcsunie work on the siibsUuii.ially-in-ei eased wages oll'cred liv the companies. The full text of ihe no:ice is-iicd by the companies i< as follows: "This company is willing to receive applications from expert slaughtermen and learners to commence work on a date to be hcrcal'ler specified. Priority of employment will be given in order of application, the rale to be 27s lid iter 100. Learner will lie granted a minimum wage of I.VI per hour, until capable of earning more than that by piecework. The full terms and conditions of employment can be seen at the works, or at this ofiice."

It is anticipated tliat publication of this notice will have the effect of bringing licit tors In n head, and will possibly end the present deadlock. The term's siml conditions of eniploynient will be those decided upon at the latest held conference of representatives of the freezing companies, which was given in full in last Saturday's newspaper. Sir Ceo. Clifford, when seen by a. reporter in respect to notices issued by the two Canterbury companies, stated that the works of both companies would open with free labor, lie desired the fact emphasised that as far. as the Canterbury companies are concerned there is no antagonism to the employment of union labor, and every opportunity would be offered to men who went on to the slaughtering board to form a union registered under the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act. The companies were not lighting unionism, but only this particular phase of the trouble,

CiSBORNE RES I'.VIES WITH FREE LABOR. Cisbome. Last Night. Work was resumed at the Gisborna Sheepfarmers' Kaiti works this morning with seven free labor slaughterers, and during the day others joined the board, though the exact number at present working is not ascertainable. In an ollieial report the managing director, Mr. C. A. Delatour.i says that work was maintained to-day, and as a large number of enquiries was made others are expected to join to-morrow. Every effort is being made to keep places for the men who have been in employment, and who have given satisfaction. A large tally is not being attempted. As soon as the men harden up the pace can be increased, but not much is expected for the first few weeks. Fifteen shillings per day is being paid to men who can kill sheep, but who are unaccustomed to the fast methods of the factory slaughterhouses, and 12s 6d per day is being paid for learners. Accommodation will be provided at the. works for the men, if required.

At the Taruheru works an official announcement to the press states that a board of eight or ten men is ready, and will probably start in a day or two. The Tokoinaru Ray correspondent of the Gisbonie Times states that work is expected to be resumed at the works there to-morrow with free labor, probably not fewer than seven or eight men, principally station bands. Only about three slaughtermen have left Tokomarn Ray, and the remainder (about fourteen) are expected to bang on for a week oi two. Stock sellers are not anticipating any ditlieully iu selling their stock, but buyers are not inclined to quote until they see how the now men shape on the hoard. The quantity of stock coming forward will be regulated by the number the men are able to pn't through.

WELLINGTON OBDURATI-

Wellington, Last Night, The position of the deadlock between the Meat Freezing Companies a.nd the slaughtermen remains unaltered, both sides, so far as Wellington is concerned, apparently awaiting developments, ft is not considered 'likely that either the Ngauaranga or Petone'works will be able to secure sufficient free labor to man the lulling boards again. The gates at Ngahuranga were thrown open this morning, in case any men should- be prepared to accept the companies' offer, but it is reported that not a man offered himself. Mr. Reardon, secretary of the Union, «>ys that this was only' to be expected, as the men are determined not to give in. and so long as their organisation is not broken up they will not mind if a few weaklings go back. the cantfrisupy union* no ptckfttno. Chrisfchurch. Last Night. The Canterbury Slaughtermen's IV lon met to-night,'but the meeting was not open to reporters. At the conclusion the secretary communicated the following report:--The meeting was largely attended, and representatives were present from the freezing works at Fairfield*. Smithfloir! and Pareora. Tt was resolved that the Union make a firm stand for 30s per hundred. Tt was further reported that a majority of the men have got employment at harvesting, navvying und so on, and if is their present intention to remain at that class of work. Tlie reporter asked if any resolution was arrived at with reference to employment bv the companies of free labor. The secretary replied that there was nothing to report under that head. He was also asked if anv arrangements had been made for picketing, and replied that the Cnion did not work in that wav.

PROVOKINI! A STRIKE.

Hishortie. Last Xight. _A full meeting of slaughtermen tonight discussed the dispute in the new aspect of ''scab" labor at the Kaiti work*, and decided to send a deputation to wait on the Freezers' Union, probablv with the idea of asking the freezers to come out in sympathy.

waxo.wtt firm.

Wanganui. Monda\'. The inan.-igiiii;- director of the Wanganni .\ieai. Freezing ("oinpanv stales (jiat the company has received a number of spontaneous oli'ers of assistance. The dnvctms held a meeting this morning, and nnanimou-dv decided that immediate steps he taken to engage labor for the work., giving preference to old employees. The company intends using its best endeavor to re-open the works

J within the mxi l'-v. da ; . >. mul the man- < aging director feels certain it will bo in cluing no. HASTINGS -STILL. FIRM. Hastings. Last Night. Tlic position in regard to tlir slaughtermen's strike, insofar as it concerns the local works, is unchanged. Messrs. Horthwiek & Sons. Pakipaki, have not received any applications {or places on 1 lie killing board, and the works have closed down in the meantime. Applications for "hooks" at Tomoana are coming in freely, and it is anticipated that the works will reopen on Wednesday morning with a full board. The rate of pay will be the same as offered the men wlio went out on strike, viz., 27a (id per 1(10. Should these anticipations be realised, slaughtering will be resumed on Wednesday,' and the necessity of dispensing with the services of the hands in other departments will lie obviated. Questioned by a reporter, one of the strikers said that they had no intention of going buck on their demands, and will" fight to (lie bitter end. Referring to (lie proposal of the companies to man the hoard with free labor, the speaker* said that, the firms might be M.ti-ilicd with their work, but he doubted if the farmers would pui up with it for very long. El'TOitTS AT CONCILIATION. Wellington, Monday. .Mr. llaiiv. Conciliation Commissioner, has been unolliciallv endeavoring to bring the parties in the slaughtermen's dispute logether with a view of settlement, but m. far has failed, lie says the parties appear to have hardened up. The chances of settlement on ordinary lines are not bright, lie intends again approaching both side- on Wednesday, when he will submit ccrlain. proposals which may get over the dilliculty. Mr. llally does not think there is the slightest chance of a general strike.

CONFERENCE AT WAITARA. MEN ON A SPLENDID WICKET. (■From our own correspondent.) Waitara. Last Night. A conference wa.s held to-day between the management of Messi/s. Rorthwick's works here and the butchers, and proved' abortive, the latter turning down theoffer made them. The old butchers arenot going back. The following statement of the position has been'supplied for publication by the firm:— In connection with Ihe present disagreement' between ourselves and our mutton and beef slaughtermen at Waitara works, it. may lie of interest to the public to know what these men are earning, and, further, what they are demand' ing. Last season, working 26 consecutive weeks, the mutton men averaged £5 8s each, or, roughly, £l4O for half a year's work. These men demand a 20 per cent, increase, and we have offered tli em a 10 per cent, increase. Our beef men earned last season, for 28 consecutive weeks, £8 5s (id each per week, or, roughly. £230 each for slightly over half a year's work. These men demand c. 23 per cent, increase, or that they shall earn about £275 for half a yeiir's be paid 5s each for bjilis export-dressed. Now, a competent man can reasonably put through 1G in a day. and his earnings for that day would be £4 for sevel* to eight hours work. The present rate is 2s each. No offpr of an increase of any sort has been made to the beef men. These are their demands as regards pay. The new conditions are equally impossible of conceding. Overtime 'rates, of time and a half are asked for work dona between seven and eight in the morning, and as the basis of pay is piecework, it is hard to conceive, with the men fresh, what proportion of the day's work they might get through in that hour. 'Thus they ask that the day shall start with overtime. AVe at present give preference, but not in the unlimited fashion which they demand. Under their clause the union might become a close corporation, having the liberty-to-impose•« anv "-entrance fee. and to blackball at.will'. St summarising matters, it is found that the conditions demanded are impossible, and the pay asked for unreasonable. East season was a fair average one, anti does rightly indicate their earnings finmany seasons past. In fj„. tnsi! £, t W beef men, when we bought these works all hoisting was done with a band winch, but we installed electricity to do this' thus obviating any heavy work., At Waitara our men all live arounS the works, and have not. as at most works, to travel by train to and from the. factory, wasting both time and money.