SETTLEMENT LIKELY.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 39, 16 February 1928, Page 8

SETTLEMENT LIKELY.

. WESTFIELD DEADLOCK. MEN MAT WORK TO-MORROW. MEETING TO-DAY TO DECIDE. Although no official statement has been made in connection with thp Westfield dispute concerning the classification of a sheep, which resulted in the management paying off over 250 men last Monday, it has been learnt from an authoritative source that there is every possibility of a settlement being reached to-day. A meeting of the men late this afternoon will decide the issue, and it may not bo necessary to hold a further meeting to discuss the situation convened for the Trades' Hall to-night. I

If arrangements work out in the manner that is confidently anticipated, the Westfield Freezing Works will be operating as usual to-morrow, and relief will bo given to a large number of farmers in the district who have found it necessary to hold on to stock prepared for the freezer at a period when feed is at a

premium. It is understood that the 6udden development of the negotiations towards a settlement is the upshot of yesterdays conference between the Butchers and Slaughtermen's Union representatives, headed by Mr. R. Barry, the president, and Mr. W. E. Sill, the secretary, and the management, whicji apparently was not abortive, as the Press was led to believe. The men's representatives have n/ade but brief representations to the company since then, and have debated the matter amongst themselves a good deal. The company on the other hand has renewed its offer to re-engage the slaughtermen, provided they resume work under normal conditions.

It is not known what the terms of the settlement are likely to be, but any decision by the men will no doubt be influenced' by the company's threat to make other arrangements to carry on the works which have been seriously affected by the stoppage, unless they come to the desired agreement.