THE SLAUGHTERMEN

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 10713, 10 January 1913, Page 5

THE SLAUGHTERMEN

POSITION UNCHANGED. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Last Night, .There is very little, further to report in connection with' the threat of the slaughtermen employed at the Petone and Ngahauranga freezing works,.to cease from their slaughtering at the end of next week. The position so .far; as -can be. ascertained, has not changed. It is understood that the slaughtermen will adhere to their demands, which they regard as being quite reasonable. It is also gathered that should the works be forced to stop, the slaughtermen will fight their battle unaided, and will not call upon other workers, for assistance. As far as can be ascertained the companies alsor propose to stand firm.- They have not yet made any open move in the matter, and no suggestion has been put forward for a conference between the two parties. > POSITION IN POVERTY BAY. A MANAGING DIRECTOR INTERVIEWED. GISBORNE. Last Night,

Tlie feeling of the slaughtermen locally is hard to gauge, but it is understood that the majority intend sticking to tno demand for 30s. Speaking to a reporter, Mr CI A. T)e Latiur, chairman of director* of the ' Gishomo Sheep "Farmers'' Company, | said as f*r as Poverty Bav was con- ; named there was no grievance between Hie employees and tfte workers. The lor>nl workers were simplv totino- in'unitv with other workers in H->e industrv throuphout New Zealand • YTm* personal opinion was that the workers ""ould not give up their demands without &. st'-njrsrlo. The two bcal factories a-nd the works at TV><omarn "Bay were paving out in wag>.s nrobably' over £4OOO. in all. per iveek. Of the present season, about hree months had.sron». and under or-lina.i-v circumstances the *ea.son would last till about Tone. Seeing that the workers wore fully organised, the emsloyers had had no option but to & - ork together in the same way." If bh© worst came to the worst, the com-->anies would close their doors; but it was generally understood that if at ill possible the works wore to be conevon,,nn a reduced scale.'and n this regard farmers had promised f-o the companies to the utmost extent. "\ ftrike," he went' L -> frt>oy. "would be unFortunate. While it would be extreme!v unfortunate for the companies and injurious l-o the producers, it would s'lso most the workers themselves. The large Kodv of employees,-n-hn.aft chief income is the wa<re.s earned at the factories do not appear to ill. One other reason why a pro-innjre-d strike wo"ld be •.pfortnnate is the fact that after the harvest tb« promise of a reduction .of work is rcry great So it was a most unfortunate year for the workers for an experiment of the kind. The season should-be a fairly good one for the producers and workers. Although the docks were rather depleted last year. :hero was sufficient to make a good liid prolonged -season. It is quite •.lea r the factories are unable to control tlie position, and it is quitp impossible to hand over the factories lo he Federation Executive. Nothing ess appear B to satisfy their ambition it present. No one would object to air negotiations with local men, vhose relations with the employers vas all that could be desired. In the ibsenee of any intimation from the nen, it is impossible for us to decide ipon our course of action, and it is 10 use anticipating trouble. "Work s proceeding at the factory to-day is usual."