HAWKE'S BAY WORKS CLOSE DOWN.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXV, Issue 10713, 1 February 1913, Page 5

HAWKE'S BAY WORKS CLOSE DOWN.

FREE LABOUR. SPOKEN OF. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) HASTINGS, Last' Night.' The notice given by the slaughtermen at the Toraoana and Paki Paki freezing works of their intention to cease work unJess their demands were acceded to, expired to-day. About. H3OO sheep were killed at the Tomoana works, leaving flie yaitlg enipty the men finished" ki'llincr, juist on the stroke of a o'clock' this -afternoon. There was no .demonstration of any kind, and after , gathering up their knives and sharpening stones, the men « ajked- fig. the,premises ; as if Interviewed by a Tribune reporter. Mr W. Nelson, managing director for Messrs Nel&on Bros., Ltd., raid the ofter of 27s 6d per 100 sheep wars still open, but it would not be exceeded. There would be no killing to-morrow, but it is expected that a start will be made at slaughtering either on Tuesday or Wednesday. Anticipating the stoppage of work to-da.v, the management at "Paki Paki did not re-stock their, pens, and the men finished off

last night, giving a mild cheer as they left the works. Notices are still posted that the boards are open for any who like to take' engagement at 27s 6d, under the ■same conditions as are piwided in the award. The works •w<sre cleaned out to-day, and everything will be in readiness .fox. iwuming .slaughtering- when a «u£Braent number of men show a willingness to turn to. He -added:; • '-We-xto; not; anticipate, \> macsh trouble in obtaining men to man the boards, and even if. a difficulty is. experienijedi. .\ve,. will still do. it, and ; when the Works reopen,it- will'be only o-n a basis of free labour. If sufficient number of our old hands do not apply for hooks to-morrow, we shall be open to receive applications on Monday morning from outside butchers, until our board is full."