THE SLAUGHTERMEN'S DISPUTE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13855, 19 March 1907, Page 5

THE SLAUGHTERMEN'S DISPUTE.

WORK RESUMED YESTERDAY.

MEN REFUSE TO START AT PAREORA.

(Per Usiteij Phess Association.) OimiSTOEtDRCII. March 18. The slaughtermen resumed work at the various freezing works in Canterbury this morning under the new scale of oond'ilions, and tho strike is now a thing of the past. In regard to the payment, of (lie fines, there are not likely to lie any defaulters, as all bands recognise that- the Government is serious in its intention of enforcing tho penalties. At Islington the slaughtermen entered the works in a. body shortly before 7 a.m., ami took their accustomed places jn the killing pens. Only a few of tho new hands who liavo been working during the past week or two put in an appearanco, and it was evident that their position was not exactly pleasant. Before work was, commenced the president of tho Slaughtermen's Union (Mr J. B._ Pope) briefly addressed tho men. Ho said that the company had agreed that every man was to return to his work, and that the whole trouble should ho forgotten. Ho felt sure that the men would start work in a good spirit, and that, no hostility would l)o displayed towards (he men who had taken up slaughtering, during tho strike. The members of tho union should show tho company and the publio that they were willing to bury the whole trouble. ' "lYe are all going hack in very jovial spirits," said Mr Pope, in conversation with a reporter. "There is plenty of work before us. and wo will scttlo down to get the. -benefit of the increased rales. ' I oxpeet wo will begin lo foci the effects of our holiday after a few hours, for we've got a bit soft." About 40 of the slaughtermen returned to work this morning, as against the 70 on tho roll before tho strike. It, is expected, however, that most of the others will put in an appearanco within the next day or two. Some have taken up other employment that they may not bo able to leave at once,- and a. few have left Canterbury. Fifty-throe ex-strikers, out of a full board of 60, started work at Belfast this morning. Tho extra hands who wore taken on during the strike are being employed in different departments of tho work. The fellmongcry workers, who were stopped by the recent fire, were at work again to-day. They have plenty of work in sight, as evidenced by the thousands of skins to lie seen hanging over the fences and round the works. Willi tho freezers starting to-morrow on tho sheep killed to-day. the works will lie practically in full swing. The slaughtermen resumed their duties with perfect good humour, and such, indeed, was the general feeling throughout the works. The news of tho Pareora trouble came as a- surprise hero. Qn inquiry at the local offices of the Canterbury Frozen Meat and Christehurch Meat Companies it was found that, so far as Smithficld was concerned, tyio men were working quietly. Mr F. Waymouth (the,managing director of the Canterbury Frozen Meat Company) proceeded to Pareora by the midday train. ASHBURTON, March 18. This morning 40 slaughtermen resumed work, also seven temporary hnnds, at Fairfield. Thero were 2000 freezing sheep to deal with.

TUB- TROUBLE AT PAREORA.

FINES OBJECTED TO. (Feb. United Pbess Association.) TIMARU, March 18. At SmilMold 18 butchers were at work to-day, and eight moro aro expected tomorrow. At Pareora tho foreman was given to understand on Sunday night that tho men would turn to this morning, but instead of doing so they sent a delegate to the foreman to say that they would not work until rule S, fixing fines for damaging carcgec or skin, was withdrawn. It has.transpired that tho Pareora men objected to the fines rulo before, and that their delegate spoke against it at tho Chnstchurch conference, hut ho did not formally object when the rule was put to tho vote. This silence then was taken for assent, or the point would havo been reserved. . Mr Waymmitli (managing director) has issued a notice that ho will attend in the morning to. enrol men, and as their refusal to work to-day alters tho relations between the company and the men, some new points will probably crop up.

THE ARBITRATION* ACT. (Faolt Oun Own Correspondent.) .WELLINGTON, March 18. Mr .Tusfico Cooper's homily on the method wliorcby the Arbitration. Court can bo mado effective lias not been allowed to pass without comment here. The Post, dealing with tile subject in a leading iirt-iclo to-night, says that, though the men' have been in this instance compelled to pay the fines, it cannot,agree with the judge thai a permanent solution of a desirable chWtcr has boon found in the processes of attachments. It is pointed out that Parliament contemplated only t!;e penalty of a fmo and a civil process as the only method for its recovery. Imprieonmont was never talked ahout and never thought of, but it was loft to the researches of the Crown lawyers to find that a judgo of the Supremo Court had the power to imprison for non-payment of mieh fine, whether (ho defaulter has the means to satisfy it or not. "As a matter of law," says the Post, "his Honor's decision is doubtless beyond cavil, but we venture to differ from the opinion on which ho also appears to express on the question of policy. Who can believe (hat ciijier Parliament, or the unionists, or iho employers realised that the effect of tho clause against strikes in the act. of 1905 would bo to render tho strikers liable to imprisonment? It is only by accident that this power Ims been bought into existence against the strikors, and it surely is not sound ■ policy in a matter of such grave moment to exercise so drastic a power thus accidentally confirmed." (From Ouit Own ConREsroHDENT.) AUCKLAND, March 18. In referring editorially to the close of the slaughtermen's strike, the Star to-night says:—"Surely it does not reevniro much logical argument jo prove that it would have . been infinitely wiser and more economical for (he men to stale (heir ease before the Arbitration Court, or, if they felt that the alternative would suit them, bctler to arrange for a private agreement'wilh tho employers. That this last course was practicable lias been proved by the sequel, and the men must now be convinced Ihat they could have got what, I hey wauled if they had gone about it in the right, way without wasting their money. A second point to notice is that the Arbitration Court, instead of collapsing and proving futile, has asserted itself in tho most dignified and telling fashion. Backed up by the Supreme Court, and by tho uncompromising support of Ministers, the Arbitration Court has proved that its decrees are not mere empty words, and that its authority cannot lightly be sot at naught. We believe that in place of weakening our arbitration system the ultimate result of these strikes will lie to place arbitration as a- system in n more unassailable position than before, bul if the dignity and authority of the court arc to be permanently sustained it will bo necessary for the court to got through its work more rapidly. In the present jnsljipco ono of (he reasons urged by the men for refusing to take their iase before the court was the long delay that would ensue before they got a bearing. If the men know that an award will not be given for many months after a' case has been brought (hey arc naturally discouraged, ami' lose confidence in the virtues of the system. Whether by reinstating the Conciliation Boards in the position ihat. (hoy wore originally intended to liokMn ilip system, or by multiplying Arbitration Courts and fudges, some means must be found 1o give both employers anil wage-earners the lxmcfit of.the law without these long delays, and if this great reform is speedily secured we will hear infinitely lcss_ than .Worn of (ho dissatisfaction that, capital and labour in many quarters admittedly feel about (be Arbitration Court.

THE AUPKUXII niSPITTE. (Per Uhited Press j'rlirc-h 18. At. a mooting of niasioi- liijlcher.i 10-uiirlit a committee was set lip tfMJi'aft pqunior proposals 1o iho demand of the men, and to deal •with rim maltcr preparatpry to the case, coming More- (lip, court.

TTIK POSITION IX SOUTHLAND. (Per Usher Press AssqciATio.v.) IXVEROARIIIU., March 18. Tho work at the killing places was restarted at pretty well full swing to-day. A local ex-sirilcor fays Hint lie sees no objection to (lis stipulation jn tho north regarding fines for mistake?."" Therefore 17 men employed at Wallaroliwn this lliorninjf ami 20 at Malanra. The agreement entered into is the sanie ai that obtaining in Christchnrch, except, Tov a slight variation to suit local conditions.

lrom 20,000 to 35,000 sheep and lambs were on the Southland Frozen Moat, Company s books at. tlie time nf tlio strike, ;inil, of course, these will receive drat attention, aiul when tliey have heen put through tlio way will bo clear for others |o come forward. Hoth sides arc pleased that an understanding has been arrived at, as inconvenience resulted lo the companies, and tlio men could not'afford to remain idle.

SLAUGHTERMEN'S UNION AT BURNSIDE. At a recent meeting of the slaughtermen at. Biirnsido it was definitely decided to form a union, and up to the present over 40 of the men have joined, all of whom are employees at, i!\e abattoirs and freezing works. Office-boa rcrs wore appointed, and the registration papers have ken forwarded to Wellington for registration, it being understood that, all arrangements will I* completed in about three weeks' timo. The Oamaru men have been communicated with regarding joining the local union, but so far no reply has keen recoived from this quarter, while the Southland slaughtermen evidently intend faking stem to form a union of their own. When'a reply ceived from Wellington, another meeting will be held at liurnside. when tlm statement of working conditions to bo submitted to tho master slaughtermen, will bo drawn up. Mr R. Brcon is secretary of tho new union.