FURTHER DETAILS.

Press, Volume XLIX, Issue 14658, 6 May 1913, Page 7

FURTHER DETAILS.

PREMEDITATION DENIED

UrECIAL TO " THB TOEBS.")

TIMAKU, May 5. There were 601110 fresh developments to-day in connection with tho trouble nt the Smithfield Freezing "Works. Last week, after tho butchers struck, seventeen learners and one experienced butcher (Rutobens) remained. To-day morning eight of tho ireo labourers ceased work, and threw in their lot with those on strike. lhoy said that they would have done this in tho first instance had they understood the position fully then. Now men took the place of those who loft, and between thirty and forty butchers killed at tho works all day. This number, it is said, will bo largely augmented this week, as plenty of men aro offering. TheMitchcrs who have gono out had pickets stationed near tho works to-day for tho purpose of explaining both sides of the case to any now men who might bo offering. Some of tho butchers who are out say that they do not like the work, and would not mind much if they never returned to it. They also take the view that tho company, before taking such a drastic step as to pay off the men who .refused to work with Hutchens, should have consulted the sheep buyers, who put so many sheep through the works, and who aro so largely interested in the industry. Had tho buyers been consulted, and the position explained to them, the butchers considered that the trouble might not havo gone so Tar as it has. ' 1 Tho buyers, on the other hand, say that they f»ully endorse the r|:tion which has been'taken by the company, and will support them to the end. Ono buyer stated further to-day that they were not in tho least nfraid of the watersiders refusing to load tho steamers, as any amount of labour i could be readily got for that, and if necessary, the buyers would themselves lend a hand with it. . -■;..,■■,.■: The free- labourers at Pareora were given until noon of to-day to make up their minds whether they would cease work if the experienced "butchers struck in sympathy with the Smithfield men. They held a ballot, but it was. apparently not. decisive, as work was resumed by all hands in the- afternoon, and was continued all day. In some quarters tho view is taken that if tho Pareora men take another day to think the', matter over, they will not strike at all.

' Mr P. C. Webb, president of the Federation of Labour, arrived in Timaru by the second express from Christchurch and immediately conferred with the men. Later on a. deputatipn from the butchers waited on the local manager of the Smithfield works, but what transpired is not known. The butchers say that the strike was not premeditated, as has been said. They say that they had no idea of the number of sheep on hand on the morning of the strike, and fully intended to start work as usual until the Brierley Bros, came- in and gave their word that they had been threatened with v revolver. The, butchers aver that this was the sole cause of the strike. In reply to a question as to whether £hey would be satisfied if Hutchens (the man who is said to havo given the threat) was removed from the killing-shed and given somo other em> lyinent at the works, one of the leading butchers said ho dia not think that tho hands in any of the other departments would work with him.

The police have made enquiry into tho alleged flourishing of tho revolver, but so far have taken no action. This evening Mr Webb eaid ho hoped tho good senao of both parties would lead to an early settlement of tho trouble.