THE SLAUGHTERMEN'S STRIKE.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 65, 16 March 1907, Page 5

THE SLAUGHTERMEN'S STRIKE.

RE_MARKS OF THE JUDGE. POWER OF IMPRISONMENT LAID DOWN. (Continued From Page 7.) (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, this day. Mr. Justice Cooper, in the Supreme Court this morning, dealt with the cases of the slaughtermen against whom the Labour Department yesterday secured writs of attachment in default of pay>ment of the fines inflicted by the Arbitration Court. Mr. Stringer said the men had made satisfactory arrangements for the payment of their fines, and in conseques.co he had directed the sheriff not to proceed with the writs. His Honor said the Department had taken the right course in bringing the matter before the Court. The judgment he had given had been a general one, which, in his opinion, would establish the fact that the Arbitration Act was effective, and that penal clauses could be applied to all parties who disobeyed an order of the Arbitration Court. It was well that the public should understand that all classes of persons who came within the scope of I the Act, and who committed breaches, i were liable if they did not comply, with the orders of the Court, to be attached lin the Supreme Court. "It is well," said his Honor, "tha,fc this should be generally known both by work* ers and employers." The machinery in the Act was effective for the purpose of enforcing due compliance with its provisions. He was very glad that the matter had been settled, because it would have been unpleasant to have committed that body of men -to prison. SATISFACTION IN CHRISTCHURCH.

LOSS THROUGH THE STRIKE.

CHEISTCHUKCH, this day. There is a general feeling of satisfaction in Christchurch that the trouble between the meat companies and the slaughtermen has been settled. Tbe men ceased work on February 26—nearly three weeks ago—and the companies and producers, and the men themselves, have been suffering inconvenience and loss. The companies were unable to deal with anything like the normal amount of animals, and 'the farmers have been compelled to hold stock which should have been slaughtered. The men, counting loss of wages and fines for striking, have lost about £20 each. They are now either paying their fines or making arrangements to pay by instalments at £ 1 a week. All of them will start work on Monday morning.