SMITHFIELD AND PAREORA TROUBLES.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXV, Issue 3827, 9 May 1913, Page 6

SMITHFIELD AND PAREORA TROUBLES.

MASS MEETING OF CHRISTCHURCH WORKERS.

LPKESf? ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.] OHRISTOH U 1? OH, May 8. It is understood that a mass meeting of, all workers—unionists and nonunionists—engaged in the frozen meat industry is to he held in the Trades Hall on Sunday to discuss matters in connection with the present position of affairs at S’mitliileld and Pareora.

A special meeting of the Canterburv Frozen Meat Workers’, Bacon, and Manure Workers’ Union lias been called for Saturday night, to discuss matters in connection with- the industry. ON TIMARU WHARVES. FREE LABOR MORE THAN HOLDING ITS OWN. TIMARU, May 8.

Both freezing works had an augmented strength on the killing boards to-day, and the work was going on as usual, though tho boards arc not yet full. Great interest was taken in tho lesult of the refusal of the watersiders to load meat, etc., into the Zealandic, and their replacement by free labor. About 80 men were at work to-day, their being contingents of farmers, farmers’ sons ' (one farmer has four .sons in), sheep-buyers, drovers, and threshing mill hands—and the work wont on not only as well, but with greater speed than when the watersiders are at work.

Tho public have no sympathy with this strike, and the farmers are determined to see it through. A! public meeting of all interested is proposed for Saturday to set up a committee to enrol and control free workers.

The Union Company’s Pukaki came in to-day to discharge coal, and the unionists prepared to discharge her, but on railway truck men being sent to the wharf who had been trucking at the Zealandic, tho Unionists refused to work with them, and the stationmaster refusing to send other men, the watersiders knocked off. They, however, turned to again and discharged the coal into a’hulk, where the railway men are not needed. . . Another Union S.S. Coy. steamer was duo to-morrow with merchandise and to load produce, and ‘it being understood that she would not call, a telegram was sent to the manager at Dunedin urging that she should be sent and free labor be given a show to discharge and load her. No reply has been received yot, but it is thought doubtful whether the Company will comply for fear of complications in other ports.