THE SLAUGHTERMEN'S DEMANDS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 162, 9 July 1907, Page 8

THE SLAUGHTERMEN'S DEMANDS.

SPECIAL CONCILIATION BOARD.

Further evidence was heard yesterday afternoon in connection with the Auckland slaughtermen's demands before the special Conciliation Board. His Worship the Mayor of Auckland (Mr A. M. Myers) presided. With him were Messrs A. White, E. Elanjiigan (for the workers), J. Marks and H. Moody (for the employers). Mr Grosvenor appeared for the master butchers, and the slaughtermen were represented by Mr F. R. Bust. Evidence as to the cost of carting various animals was given by a carter. Daniel Ryan, a practical slaughterman, said he started v.-ork at the City Abbatoirs, and was with them for five years. His wages there were 17/6 a week and found. The hours and wages in the South and in Australia compared more than favourably with* Auckland. He was not satisfied with the prices set out in the workers demands; they were not high enough consistent with good work. He received 4d each for slaughtering sheep, and perquisites equal to lid extra. He considered 27/G a hundred altogether too low for Killing sheep. It was easier to kill six sheep for the freezer than to kill four for the shop. There was a difference in the method of preparing them. He considered piece work the best system. He knew of cases where slaughtermen had contracted cancer and blood poisoning through their work. Mr Bust was proceeding to question the witness as to whether he had been boycotted through his being a member of the union, when" Mr Grosvenor interjected that that matter was irrelevant to the points at issue.

The Chairman said that the questions for the Board to consider were those laid down in the men's demands, all of which more or less affected the slaughtermen's position. The question now being , asked brought up another aspect that he did not think was relevant to those questions. He thonght that all that was necessary was a reply from the witness as to whether he had suffered any inconvenience through being a member of the union or not. Mr Bust then put this question, and the witness replied in the affirmative, adding that he had also been threatened with loss of work. To Mr Grosvenor: Slaughtermen for the freezing works did not get perquisites. He considered that a slaughterman's duty as regards cleaning pens was to keep the floor clean enough for the next man to knock his beast down on. He did not consider that whitewashing walls and ceilings was part of a slaughterman's duties. He considered that more knowledge was required to slaughter a beast than to cut up the carcase. % To the Chairman: A good day's work was 8 bullocks or 50 sheep.

At this stage the further hearing of the case was adjourned until 10-30 a.m. on Monday next.