FREEZING WORKS' DISPUTE

Evening Post, Volume LXXXV, Issue 20, 24 January 1913, Page 8

FREEZING WORKS' DISPUTE

COMPANIES' ULTIMATUM REJECTED. The ultimatum issued by the meat export companies to the Slaughtermen's Union throughout the 1 Dominion, offering the killing rate of 27s 6d per 100, expires this evening. • So far as the men in the Wellington district (winch extends to Wanganui and the East Coast) are con-cerned-the ultimatum will be ignored. | It is understood that this will be the ' fate of the ultimatum 'in the other centres. ' Both sides, then, are preparing themselves for a stubborn battle. Tomorrow developments may be looked for. The chairman of tHe recent conference of the New Zealand Freezing Companies,Sir George Clifford, in a letted to the Wellington provincial secretary of the New Zealand Farmers' Union, says : "It is satisfactory to note that the general i feeling of your members (approving of the action of -the companies in corinection ! with the demands) was that the companies had offered Very liberal terms. It was their intention to offer terms asliberal as was consistent' with their dtte performance of the duties which they owe to the great industry of which they form an integral part, and to the workers, whose assistance they fully recognise. ' The rejection of such terms is in- : conceivable, but if such an event should j occuj it i* gratifying to know tflat the companies will have the support of your • union." Matters in connection with the prospective strike of butchers at the Waijicawa Freezing Works have (states our Masterton correspondent) developed little during the- past few' days. It was rumoured that the company had offered the men the wages asked for, but the statement has been contradicted by a prominent member of the union. ■ The feeling, however, still prevails that an amicable settlement will be arrived at before the end of the present month. There is nothing fresh to report in connection with the strike at Pet one. Besides the few of the permanent hands and fitters who are to be kept on., the only department engaged now is the manure worksj and it won't be finished' for some time yet. Mr. Wilford has announced his intention of addressing the strikers at Petone on Saturday evening.