THE SLAUGHTERMAN.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXIV, Issue 16137, 14 January 1913, Page 4

THE SLAUGHTERMAN.

RUMOURS of A STRIKE IN CANTERBURY. CONFLICTING OPINIONS. Thoro was a rumour in Christchurch last night that tho slaughtermen employed at tho Canterbury Frozen Meat Company’s works at Belfast intended to strike on Saturday. Tho rumour, apparently, originated in Timaru, and it seemod to bo fairly well accepted in Christchurch. As far as inquiries show, however, the slaughtermen havo not come to any definite decision in regard to their action. Those who profess to know something of tho men’s intentions say that it is quite possible that a strike will take placo at the end of this week. Against this statement, however, is tho fact that the men havo not communicated with the company,- and it is not expected that they will take such a drastic step as a strike without giving uotice. On previous occasions, they hr-YJ always given tho company fair novkSs, ana it is presumed that they will do so when they come to a decision in the present crisis. In tho Belfast township, different opinions are held in regard to the possibilities of a strike. Tho agreement with tho company will expire at 5 p.m. on Thursday. It is possible that the men will then consider tho position, and on Thursday evening information may bo available in regard to the attitude they will tako up. Tho secretary of the Union was soon last night, but he emphatically refused to give any information whatever, saying that tho Union’s affairs were quite private, and that, if there was a dispute, it was a matter between tho Union and the company. A gentleman well known in Labour circles, and intimately acquainted with slaughtermen and with freezing works employees gonerally, expressed it as his emphatic opinion that there was no truth whatever in tho statements that tho slaughterman were going out on strike. It was truo, he said, that the men were seeking after better conditions, and were demanding 80s a hundred for the sheep and lambs killed instead of the 25s now paid. It was impossible to say whether their dissatisfaction would eventually culminate in a striko. Personally, he did not think that it would. At present, at any rate, there was no strike projected as far as he knew, and he would be likely to know if a strike was in the air. The whole rumour, he thought had arisen out of the interview published in a Canterbury newspaper recently, in which it was stated that a slaughtermen’s strike at tho Smithneld freezing works, near Timaru, was probable. A strike at Southfield would not he merely local, but would involve slaughtermen at Belfast and elsewhere. The person who made this statement was 'plainly speaking of matters of which lie knew nothing. How tho men proposed to obtain what they demanded tho sneaker was not in a position to say, hut ho was sure that no striko had yet been definitely decided on. MANNING OF 'THE BOARDS. FARMERS’ SYMPATHY WITH THE MEN. [Pun Press Association*.] WELL T NGTON, January 13. A well-known local farmer, interviewed, says that tho farmers of this district aro by no moans unanimous on the question of manning the boards in the event of a strike of slaughtermen, lie says it would not only provoke a. needless quarrel with the men, hut the farmers cannot dress sheep sufficiently well to satisfy tho London market. Further, to refuse tho increase asked for, which only amounts to a little over a halfpenny per head, moans that the farmers will foso all that they stood to make, while to give it will still leave j them a fair profit. “ Apart from tho business aspect, however/ he continned, “you can take it from mo that tho majority of the farmers sympathise with the men. Slaughtering is a rotten job. and should be well paid. Tlio companios that stand between the farmers and the slaughtermen tako it out of both, and tho real grievance of both is against the companies, and tho majority of farmers are not going to answer the call to man tho boards. [Per Press Association.] PALMERSTON N., January 13. Fears of a striko of slaughtermen are deterring farmers from buying stock, owing to the possibility of being unable to quit it when fat. Tim present lifelessuess of tho market is attributed partly to this and partly to tho backward state of the rape crops. While farmers reulis© th© importune© of rotraining from defying the workers and precipitating the trouble, tho general feeling is that if those demands are going to he an animal affair it would be better to fight now and have it over, i

NO INFORMATION AT TIMARU. [Per Press Association.] TIMARU, January 18. There Ims been a good deal of talk about what will happen at the freezing works when the men s notice expires on January 17, but no information is available regarding the mens or the companies’ intentions. It is stated that it is impossible for farmers to fill the boards, all hands being needed for harvest. NOT BUYING. A SIGNIFICANT REPORT. Business at the Gust market was almost at a standstill yesterday owing to the dispute with the slaughtermen. Tho fat lamb buyers wore present ns usual, but they did no buying at all. It was rumoured that this action was in accordance with a telegram received from the froezing companies.