LABOUR TROUBLE AT TIMARU

Evening Post, Volume LXXXV, Issue 108, 8 May 1913, Page 3

LABOUR TROUBLE AT TIMARU

MR. P. C. WEBB'S ADVICE. [BY TBLEGBAPH — SPECIAL XO THE POST.] CHRISTCHURCH, This Day. Mr. P. C. Webb, president of the Federation of Labour, has returned to Christchurch from a visit to the Waterside Workers' Union at Timaru, in connection with the trouble that has arisen in the freezing Avorks near that town. Mr. Webb did not give any addresses, but merely met represntatives of the union, and • discussed the position with them. In an interview here, he said that the dispute really had not affected the Federation of Labour yet, as the slaughtermen had not become affiliated to that body. He hoped that both parties to the dispute— the slaughtermen and the freezing companies, would get together as soon as possible, meet around a table, and settle the whole .affair in that way. By both parties to a dispute meeting in conference there was nothing to lose, and in most cases there waa a great deal to be gained. There was no other sensible method of reaching a settlement. It was obvious that if something was not done in that direction the strike might spread and the position become more serious than it was at present. FREE LABOUR PLENTIFUL AT SMITHFIELD. MEN LOADING "THE ZEALANDIC. CB* TELEGRAPH— PBKSB ASSOCIATION.^ TIMARU, 7th May. Work is proceeding at Smithfield today with a good numeber of killers. There are many applicants, but selection according to skill is necessary. At Pareora some free men knocked off in sympathy with unionists, but no difficulty is anticipated in replacing them. The steamer Zealandic came in yesterday to load 30,000 carcases, tallow, etc. The watersiders would not turn to in the afternoon, saying they were waiting instructions from the headquarters of the federation. The same reply was given this morning. The ship's agents gave them till noon to make up their minds. The union not being prepared to answer at noon, free labour was called for, and ther© were plenty of applicants to form a gang, some prominent business people taking off their coats to set an example to those in authority. It ia stated that for inexperienced men they got through the afternoon's work with creditable expedition in loading cased goods and carcasee, passing the latter into the h6ld and stowing them in very good time per truck.