THE SLAUGHTERMEN'S STRIKE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXV, Issue 10713, 6 March 1913, Page 4

THE SLAUGHTERMEN'S STRIKE.

We have no brief for the Wellington Farmers' Meat Company, But when that Company is openly charged with being responsible for the slaughtermen's strike, we are impelled, from our knowledge of the facts, to enter an emphatic protest. This is what the Wanganui Herald ha« to say on the subject:— "It is significant that the only freezing company in New Zealand to break away from the associated companies should be a fanners' cooperative company, and that whilst the butchers were absolutely united in refusing to negotiate except through the Federation officials in Wellington, one of the companies should have been \/>o short-sighted as to secede from the Association and to negotiate direct with the Federation, ultimately conceding practically all tho men's demand-;. Whilst such action may have been productive of some immediate profit to the Waingawa Company, it has been to a great extent at the expense of the industry, and we understand that many of the sh'upholders in this company are not in sympathy .with the policy of the directors in this matter. Indeed, it is widely believed that hut for the action of the Waingawa Company the butchers' strike would not have occurred."

Now, what are the facts? Tac directors of the Waingawa Company joined with the remaining companies in resisting the demands of the men as far as was possible. They were represented at two company conferences at Wellington, and the manager made it quite clear that his company was of opinion that the men should he met in friendly conference, and au attempt made to arrive at a settlement. Ho also intimated that, failing such a conference, his company would have to consider its position. The larger,companies preferred to go their own wav, and the Waingawa Company, in the interests of its shareholders and of tho district, was compelled to make its own terms with tin; men. A representative meeting n f farmers was held at Carterton, and this meeting urged that the company should pay the 30s demanded. In the ei renin star cos, the Waingawi Comnany did the only thing it was ,no*sible to do. Whatever the other companies may think about the matter, it is certain that the great majority of settlers in his district eniority of settlers in this district enCompany.