SLAUGHTERMEN'S STRIKE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 224, 10 February 1913, Page 5

SLAUGHTERMEN'S STRIKE.

WELLINGTON" RESTARTING. THE TROUBLE PRACTICALLY OVER. Per Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. The anticipated restarting of killing at the local meat works is regarded as an indication that the strike of slaughtermen may lie regarded as over. The managers of the works do not expect any trouble with 'the men in the oilier departments as the result of the utilisation' of free labor, of which plenty is offering. THE POSITION IN INVERCARGILL. THE MEAT COMPANY'S CHAIRMAN. Tuvercargill, Last Night. Speaking at the annual mooting oE the Southland Frozen Meat Company, the chairman of directors, Mr. John McQueen. said that this time the companies had determined to make a stand, and had decided to make an attempt to lill the factories with free labor. So far as they had gone they had met with encouragement, leading to the conclusion that they would obtain sufficient labor. Tie regretted that a number of married men who had been with the Southland Frozen Meat Company for years, and lived in the neighbourhood, would find that their occupation was gone unl<>s* they moved very quickly in applying for places. He would be sorry to see married men made victims by a lot of young fellows who could put their swags on their backs and go on to Australia, through the country, and following other occupations. An attempt had been made to make the last award run the term of live years, but the President of (.lie Court would not extend it beyond three years, and the leadprs of. the men gave the companies the assurance .that at the end of that term they would do their best to get an extension, of two years. Possibly they did use their best, endeavours, ibut the slaughtermen did not agree to such a course. The companies had found 110 difficulty in arranging conditions with the local Union, and had fixed up an agreement, but it had to be sent to the Federation, who turned it down, because it was encroaching on the functions of the executive in Wellington. This executive was composed of men who no doubt received good salaries, and required to do something to justify those salaries", and he. was inclined to think that those gentlemen would, owing to bad generalship, find their occupations gone. He hoped that this would be the result of their action. I (Applause). The local men were :to blame in surrendering their personal convictions and handing-over their rights to others. This was unmanly and degrading, but that was their business. Every man had a right to make a fool of himself if lie wanted to. As to the slaughtermen and any other employees they l might find it necessary to engage in consequence of any dispute, they would continue in the company's service. It would not matter if the slaughtermen came in a body and offered their services. They would fight any attempt 1 likely to be made to form a Union to reregister and impose conditions whereby the men who came to the company's assistance would be turned out. They would not submit to that, and' he did not think 'the Arbitration Court would give its approval. It would be a case of fixity of tenure with those young butchers. FREE LABOR IN DUNEDIN. WORKS REOPENING. Dunedin, Last Night. The Christchurch Meat Company's works at Burnside will reopen on, Thursday next. There has been no difficulty in getting slaughtermen. The applications' by men with some experience of the work exceed the number required by the company. GISBORNE PEACEFUL. GOOD AVORK BEING DONE. Gisborne, Last Night. The Gisborne Sheep Farmers' Frozen Meat Company concluded their first week's operations under free labor conditions at midday yesterday, and the result is regarded as highly satisfactory. There were 31 men on the slaughter board yesterday morning, and their work is spoken of in the highest terms. The substantial nature of the wages offering has attracted numerous inquiries for work, which are coming in from many parts of the district. The only incident that appears to have occurred worth mentioning is a case of alleged molestation. A couple of the new butchers at

TCaiti works complain of having been intercepted by some persons wlio used offensive terms to them. It is understood that' measures will be taken to prevent the introduction of any such objectionable tactics. Some internal dissension is reported to have occurred among the .slaughtermen themselves, and 'the payment of a salaried offical connected with the organisation is stated to be the bone of contention. A Federal representative is reported to have waited upon a director of the Tokomaru works with an offer of his services to settle the butchers' dispute, but he was courteously informed that no such grievance existed, and that the company were quite satisfied with the work .of its present slaughterhouse hands. FREE LABOR AT WASTGAXIT. Wanganui, Saturday. The Wanganui Freezing Company has had a cood response from free laborers, and will resume on- Monday f.ith at least •2i5 men. including some expert butchers. The, rest'are of a good stamp. Some of the old hands have already departed for

Australia, and the majority of 'he others are leaving next week. They say they are unlikely to return. Those having homes here intend to icek o'her employment. Inquiries among local watersil ws show thev have little, sympathy vith the strike, which they consider >rnnecessary and unjustifiable. They declare there will bo no refusal to handle n'tat so far as the Wanganui watersiders ;\re concerned.