SLAUGHTERMEN'S DEMANDS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 177, 26 July 1907, Page 3

SLAUGHTERMEN'S DEMANDS.

BOARD OF CONCILIATION

The special Board of Conciliation to inquire into the demands of the Auckland slaughtermen sat this morning to hear the objection of Mr Stringer (representing the Auckland Farmers' Freezing Company) to being joined to the dispute.

Mr Stringer appeared in person and lodged a formal protest on the grounds that at the last sitting of the Arbitration Court an award was made regulating the hours, conditions of labour, rates of wages, holidays, preference to unionists, and all other particulars under which his company Was to work; that any alterations of the conditions as set forth therein would compel his company to perform the same class of work under two separate conditions; that it was a most unjust method by which the Auckland Slaughtermen and Industrial Cniou of Workers sought to have his company included in the award, as at the time of the hearing of this dispute they were aware that his compapy were slaughtering for shop trade, and by not joining our name at that time they precluded us from stating our case before this Board. He could have submitted figures showing that at the rates under which their slaughtermen were now -working they -were earning wages that no other skilled workmen, either mechanical or otherwise, were able to earn during equal working hours. It would be necessary for the Court to also consider how they could join his company in this award without seriously interfering with his export business, as at the present time certain carcases were uecessarily rejected owing to the exigencies of business. These carcases and quarters, together with tongues, tails, kidneys, skirts, cheeks, and other offal from .ill stock slaughtered are sold under Contract in the Auckland market, and the question would arise as to whether the selling of these goods on the Auckland market would bring the conditions of their, slaughter under the shop trade award when they were really slaughtered for export. The oniy alternative he could suggest with regard to piece-workers, at all events, was .that their award be made identical with those granted by the Arbitration Court at its last sitting, under which they are now working.

After hearing statements by Mr Bust and Mr Stringer, the Board promised to consider the matter.

It is probable that an award will be given about the middle of nest week.