SLAUGHTERMEN ON STRIKE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8368, 27 February 1907, Page 5

SLAUGHTERMEN ON STRIKE.

GENERAL STOPPAGE OF WORK

IN CANTERBURY.

By Telegraph—Press Association,

CHRISTCHURCH, February 26. Without warning of any kind, all the slaughtermen employed at the freezing works in Canterbury went out on strike to-day. The action is the direct result of the meeting of men held last night, and the ferment of the last few weeks. The companies' overtures were ignored, and evoked no direct reply from the men. The companies recognise the distinction between the men who are endeavouring to enforce the demands and the members of the Slaughtermen's Union, which has held back throughout, and announces that it has nothing to do with the agitation;; but the unionists are involved in the strike, which is one of the most important experienced in the colony.

The companies mean to go on as far as possible with assistants,, who are not on strike. These will take the place of the slaughtermen, and their places will be filled by such casual labour as may be available. They intend meantime to kill only what are known as preserves and potters. The good class of mutton for the freezing market is not to be killed yet awhile. TIMARU, February 26.

Killing operations at the Smithfield Freezing Works are now at a standstill. One slaughterman left on Saturday last, a small number following his example yesterday and the balance left in a body this morning. They went to the works but refused to start. It is stated here that the Smithfield slaughermen struck to-day by reason of advice received from the North Canterbury slaughtermen last night. There are no freezing, sheep wait ing to be killed at Smithfield, the last having been disposed of on Saturday last. There are numbers of potters and preservers awaiting slaughter, but all bookings of freezers, have been stopped. TIMARU, Last Night.

The proceedings for a penalty against 24 slaughtermen's assistants at the Pareora Freezing Works, under Section 15 of the Amending Act 1905, for breach of the award, was heard this afternoon, before the Arbitration Court, Judge . Sims presiding.

The evidence showed that the works were idle on Friday, Saturday and Monday through the defendants ceasing work. Mr S. G. Raymond, for defendants, submitted that as the award was made in June, 1905, and the Act making it an offence to strike did not come into operation till the end of October of that year, the Act did not apply to this award. The second contention was that the Court's r jurisdiction to make an award is limited to cases in which there is an existing industrial dispute, and in this case there was no dispute, the parties having arrived at a mutual agreement. ; Mr J. W. White, Crown Prosecutor, in reply, said these arguments were more ingenious than sound, and if all were allowed it would be impossible to get a convection on any award made before October, 1905. The Judge announced that a decision would be given in the morning. WORK CEASES AT FAIRFIELD. ASHBURTON, February 26. The butchers at the Fairfield Works did not resume work this morning. Nearly a full board of butchers assembled at 8 this morning, and although sheep were penned ready for them, after consultation among themselves they left without starting. Subsequently they went in a body to the manager's office, and stated that they were dissatisfied with the rate of pay, and desired ,25s per 100*. As the manager could not accede to the demand the men left the works, one delegate being left at the works to receive any communication the company might make. CHRISTCHURGH MEN ON STRIKE. CHRISTCHURCH, February 26. The slaughtermen have struck work. The freezing companies are notifying their clients not to forward stock till further advised. It is stated that there are 284 slaughtermen in Canterbury, 200 of whom are Australians. The number of Australian slaughtermen in the whole colony is 300, and it is estimated that they contribute in fares to the steamship companies £2,700 per annum. There are more Australians in Canterbury this year than usual, the Exhibition inducing more to come here, rather than go to the Argentine. Probably next year they will prefer to go to the "Argentine, if conditions here do not improve. Work at the freezing works at Belfast and Islington will be resumed to-morrow with as many casual slaughtermen as can be procured. The companies have not much stock coming in, and it is expected that what work comes forward can be dealt with. I It is anticipated that there will not be any trouble between the casual hands and the strikers to-morrow morning.

THE TROUBLE AT GISBORNE. GISBORNE, February 2G. Wprk was suspended at the Gisborne Freezing Works this morning, but at Nelson Bros.' the men were killing two lambs per hour, with long intervals between each animal slaughtered; Mr Jackson,' secretary of the Slaughterers' Union, states that the men were dissatisfied with the Arbitration Court award when it was made over two years ago. The sheep were harder to dress than those • slaughtered in the South, as they were driven longer distances. When the award expired last August, the men made a proposal for a fresh industrial agreement, including provision for payment of 25s per hundred. The employers did not accede to the demands, and application was made to the Arbitration Court. This was some time in' August last, and no

aitting of the court has been held here since.

| The grievance of the men, Mr Jackson states, is that as it is so long before the court sits, and the season is nearly gone now, they thought it was hardly worth waiting for the court, as in winter time the men would be away bushfelling or in other districts. In some parts of Australia 35s per hundred was being paid, and in the early days j of the industry in New Zealand, men iin the South got 22s 6d. In Gisborne; the' men had lost by the award, receiving less than they formerly earned. Mr Jackson denied that the men were acting in concert with their unions. SOUTHLAND SLAUGHTERMEN STRIKE.. INVER'CARGILL, Last Night. ! The slughtermen at Ocean Beach and Wallacetown struck to-day. They ask for 25s per hundred, the usual batch of holidays to be paid for at double'time; and 2s an hour for waiting time over an' hour: As there is noslaughtermen's union in Southland, the Arbitration Court cannot touch the matter. The Hon. Mr Millar says he is determined to the lav/enforced,, and has instructed the Court to takestrike business before anything' else. AN'AUCKLAND UNION FORMED. ' AUCKLAND, February 261 The Auckland slaughtermen have' formed a union, and will make demands in certain directions, including, it is stated, increased wages for certain work and improved' condi- • tions. It is understood, however, that there is little likelihood of a> strikeDUNEDIN, Last Night.. So far as Burnside is concerned, there is no indication of any trouble with the slaughtermen, and the' general opinion seems to be that they will await the l'esult of the strike among the men in the North and fall 1 in. with any decision arrived'at. They are not working under any award.