THE SLAUGHTERMEN'S DISPUTE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13837, 26 February 1907, Page 6

THE SLAUGHTERMEN'S DISPUTE.

OPERATIONS SUSPENDED AT THE GISBORNE WORKS. POSITION STILL SERIOUS. (Pμ United Press Association.) GISBORNE, February 25. At both the Gisborne ami Taruheru works to-day the butchers started up to time, but it was soon evident that if fcliero was not a striko it was something very like it, the men averaging two sheep an hour instead of from eight to 10. Everyone- seemed to understand the meaning of the lack of vigour, which was in keeping with rumours afloat as to what was to take place. The same pace was maintained throughout the day at Nelson Bros.' works, and the men were timed to st-art us usual O'i Tuesday morning, it being understood that instructions are being awaited from headquarters. At the Gisborno works thd following letter was sent by tlio manager to Iho representative of the men: — "The slaughtermen having declined to avail themselves of the company's offer to reopen negotiations for conciliation, and having refused for a whole morning to work except at iho rate, of two sheep per hour, further killing is suspended, on the grounds Ui.it siu'li an arrangement among the butchers is an illegal combination, and is taken with the intention of dentins tho provisions 'of the existing awatil and cf forcing an increased rate of wages. The men are at liberty any time to intimate to the manager in charge of the works that they are prepared to resume normal work." At iho men knocked off. They onlv jiumlirr 22, but the cessation of slaughtering meant that others, numbering considerably more, had also to cease work. .Generally, the men seem to treat the matter light-heartedly, and the feelings of many at present aro summed up' in tiic words of ono of the number speaking \o a reporter: "I never laufrhed so much in my life before." General bands, tradesmen, and floekownors. however, view tho position with much concern, and the *<il>jeet of the value of tho arbitration law is freely discussed. NO TROUBLE AT WANGANUI. (Pbr Uxited Press Association.) , WANGANUI, February 25. The. rumours of trouble among the killers at. tho Wanganui Freezing Works are without foundation. At the time of the Wellington dispute (lie manager informed the men that the company would pay the wages fixed as the outcome of the Wellington dispute. The offer was accepted, and worlc has gone on without interruption. There- seems no reason to fear a strike. THE POSITION IN CANTERBURY. WORK STILL PROCEEDING. (Per United Press Association.) CfUUSTCHURCH. February 25. Work is going on in all the Canterbury freezing works except at Parcora, wlieio the men are still out. As a result of the meeting yesterday, four of the men have signed a letter to tho companies making certain demands. The letter wa.s written after the union officials had been asked to retire from the meeting. The directors of the companies considered the letter (hie morning, and a conference of. representatives of both companies decided that it was impossible to treat with individuals, but to deal only with the union. They further decided to meet the union at any time in any way they could, and are willing to make some arrangement before the Arbitration Court sits, and if overtures in that direction fail, they will go to the court, and abide by its award. In accordance with this agreement the Canterbury Company refused to deal further with the Pareora,- men. stating that all negotiations must be with the union's representatives. The managers of tho companies sent a letter to the union asking if the union would ordor the men at Pareora to return to work, and declining \n accept (lie union secretary's letter disclaiming responsibility unioss officially signed. Mr Waymonth, manager of the Christchurch Meat Company, sent, a letter to tho secretary of the Slaughtermen's Union, (idvisinp jliiit Ills company was willing to confer with" officers and delegates to discuss proposals for a fresh agreement for speedy submission to the Arbitration Court, and would undertake that the rates of nay arranged in the final agrement would be retrospective to the present date It is iinderstod that another meeting of slaughtermen was held last night, at which it was practically decided not to strike. It is now thought there will not be a general striko. It is reported here to-day that the Canterbury Company offered the Parcora men 23s per 100. which would bo a compromise between the present rate and the men's demands, but in view of the company , !; decision to deal only with the union tho rumour is discredited. CONSIGNMENTS OF SHEEP REFUSED. (Per United Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, February 25. All hands began work at 7 o'clock this morning at the Islington Works with the exception of a contingent which came fr ,v i Cliristclnircii by tho first train, and -9 > started at 8. AH tho slaughtermen are at work save ' a few who aro sick, and one delegate from yesterday's meeting. The manager has little or no information as to the negotiations, and the men are extremely reticent. Everything at. the works appears to bo going "on precisely as usual, and if tho slaughtermen knock off this afternoon they will do eo without warning. Consignments of sheep were refused on Saturday, and only small lots have-been received to-day. Probably the slaughtermen will bo unable to start to-morrow morning at the regular hour. The works have been putting through up to tho present about 60u0 sheep ami lambs a day. Sixty-nine slaughtermen aro employed, and about two-thirds of these are Canterbury men. A number of the others are Australians, who como over here every season, and arc (hits regarded almost, as regular hands. Altogether the employees at the works number, some 550, and if tho slaughtermen should cease work for a period all these would be thrown idle within a few days The men resumed work after dinner just the same as usual, and continued throughout the afternoon, and at the end of the day they had nearly killed out what stock , was on hand. At tho Belfast Works a.lso there wns no cessation of killing operations during the day. What will happen at the works to-morrow will depend upon the result of the meeting of slaughtermen to be Held this evening. CONFERENCE. (Fsit United Press Association.) (JIIPJSTCHURCH. February 25. A conference .between the slaughtermen at the Islington Freezing Works and the Belfast AVorks was held at the Trades Hall, Christchurch. to-night. A prolonged discussion took place on tho e«;3tion as to whether the men should cease work or not. The proceedings were not open to the press, and the result of the conference, if any, could not lie ascertained definitely. It is understood, however, that the meeting was by no means an orderly one, and that no definite conclusions were arrived at. ■MR MURRAY'S VIEWS. (Fkoii Ore Own Corresponded.) CHRISTCHURCH, February 25. Mr William Murray, managing director of tho Christchurch Meat Company, informed a reporter late this afternoon that the men at Islington had been allowed to lcavo off work at 5 o'clock instead of i>, in order that they might attend flic conforenco of slaughtermen called for ' tonight. Tho men had been working fairly well throughout the day. If the company wove shown that tire slaughtermen were suffering any injustice, or wore not receiving all tho money they ought to got, tho company would be glad to satisfy their just requirements by means of a mutual agreement if that could be brought about. They would bo well satisfied also to see the question settled by the Arbitration Court; but if tho men decided to act in opposition to thoir union and throw overl>oard the whole machinery of the Arbitration Court, instead of following the course laid down by law for tho settlement of industrial differences, ho did not see how the. community, if it were a law-abiding community, could have any sympathy with their action. The company had always acted strictly in accordance with the Arbitration Act. It had got to do so. and if those men were to be allowed to throw overlxiard that recognised machinery for settling industrial disputes, it was a serious matter. If the company were to abet them in such action bv recognising their position, apart from tho constitution of their union, and yielding to unconstitutional action because tho men might possess a Gout is really a special form of rheumatism caused by excess uric acid in the blood. Whether your gout is actito or chronic, Biieuho will euro you. All stores.

certain power by virtue of circumstances, it would bo a disastrous thins f° r t' ll! wholo colony. It was' important to the ontiro industries of the country that the company should make no falso movo in this matter. If tho present demands of the men were granted, it would moan a tax upon tho company of thousands of pounds per annum. Tho increase which 'tho men domanded was equivalent, roughly, to £i a week, and that was an unusually large increase to demand in such peremptory fashion; but that increase was not all, for tho men required in addition to bo relieved of certain portions of their work, which it would cost the company a largo sum to have, done by extra, labour. The work of slaughtering was no doubt unpleasant, but the only qualities it called for wore bodily strength and quickness and a. physical .dexterity that come of practice. In no other branch of labour would these men Aim such largo sums as they received at present. Tho dangerous aspect of the work was also liable to exaggeration. Mr Murray added that lie thought tho companies had made the fairest possible offer to the slaughtermen in promising to make the now award of the Arbitration Court, when that was given, as from tiro present date. If tho men did not agree to such an offer as that, ho did not see how public sympathy could go with them. SITUATION AT PAREORA" AND SMITHPIELD. (Pμ United Press Association.) TIMARU, February 25. Thcro is no alteration in tho situation at tho Pareora Freezing Works. Mjt Weymouth, tho managing director here, to-day states that no negotiations will be entered into with anybody but tho union officials. No offer has been made, as reported in Christehuroh, to the Pareora men. The Smithfield men hail a meeting tlu's morning, and by a large majority resolved lo continue working. A few men knocked off without saying whether for a day of for good.