SMITHFIELD STRIKE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXV, Issue 10713, 6 May 1913, Page 5

SMITHFIELD STRIKE.

EIGHT LEARNERS CO OUT. A SETTLEMENT EXPECTED. (By Tdegrapti. — Press Association.) Tl&AiffaU, Last Night. On Saturday, seventeen learners, some of whom are now fairly expert, remained at work at Smithfield, This morning eight of these joined the_strikers, but number of fresh hands wero taken on, and over 30 were at work to-day., More, are expected during the week. The strikers had pickets explaining to the new men their case. Work procekled as usual at Pareora. Mr P. O. Webb, President of. the Federation, arrived tliis afternoon, and met the strikers. Later, a deputation interviewed the local managers, bat what happened . has not transpired.

Mjr Webb told a reporter that he hoped for an early settlement, but so far the Federation was not affected. One cf the strikers stated that there was no other esvuse whatever for the strike except that the Company would Lir>t discharge a man who {as three men alleged) had threatened to use a revolver. The man denies even owing a revolver, and the police inquiries have failed to make out a case.

TIMARU STRIKE SPREADING. OTHER UNIONS APPEALED TO. (By Telegraph.—Fress Association.) TIMARiU, Last Night.

The tixroble 'with the slaughtermen has rapidly developed. At Pareora on Saturday a mass meeting was held, and it wis decided to support the Smithfield men. At a subsequent ■mass meeting of all the Unions concerned, a resolution «■»•, passed that the meeting is entirely in accord with the action taken by the butchers and their assistants at the Smithfield Freezing Works, and urges them to stand firm, and to call upon all the Unions to assist them in (making thiis fight theirs also, and affirming that any injury to one is an injury to all the workers. Is is , reported that nine of the "free" labourers had joined the Union since Friday. A subscription was taken up in the room in aid of P. 0. Webb's fine, and more than double the necessary sum was subscribed, which will be forwaided to Christchurch.. Further meetings will be held to-day. There is much anxiety as to the position the Waterseders'* Union will take tip.

THE ACTUAL POSITION. CHRISTCHURCH, Last a\ight. The manager of the Christchurch Meat Company, seen to-day in connection' with the trouble tliat has arisen at the Company's Smithfield works, stated that the position is practically a& follows: "After the strike two months ago when the boards were in the process of being filled up by fresh men, some of the old men presented themselves for reengagement. We simply selectd some of those m?n in fillimg up the vacancies remaining. The position at Smithfield Lately was that we had from 18 to 20 learners with 46 old Union men. These men were employed individually under no award. A dispute occurred the other day with a free labourer and 46 men went out in a body, declining, to work unless this man was dismissed. We said we would hold an inquiry if they would go back to work, but they would not go back. There is vlie end of it. We are taking steps to fill their places to-day. We have had enough applications to fill all the hooks. The old Union men have been paid off."