THE SLAUGHTERMEN'S DISPUTE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13858, 22 March 1907, Page 5

THE SLAUGHTERMEN'S DISPUTE.

FURTHER TROUBLE. POSSIBILITY OP ANOTHER STRIKE. (Per United Press Association'.) CIIRISTCHURCH, March 21. 'It seems that there has been considerable dissatisfaction among the local slaughtermen on account of extra work which, it is staled; is not provided for in tho agreement recently entered into with tho Canterbury Frozen Meat Company (which carries on operations at. Belfast) and the Ohristchurch Meat Company (which owns tho Islington work?) being imposed. The result is that the strike, which a few days ago was relegated to tho past, is likely to bo again revived. The men at Belfast and Islington both returned lo work oil Monday apparently satisfied with tho agreement, inasmuch as they received all they wisheij for. Then, at the instanco of some slaughtermen from Australia, the local men demanded the right to carry out tlitt work of slaughtering according to the method adopted iu the Commonwealth, 'and quite contrary lo the conditions which have prevailed here for many years. This consisted of severing tho head from the body when dressing tho carcases. Tho meat companies, on the other hand, stipulated that tho head should be skinned over tho crown and down to tho. nose, tho sides of tho heads (tile checks) being skinned also. The men insisted on working according to iho new method, and praciirally ■ refused to comply with their employers' request, because it is not embodied in the agreement. The men continued to work all day to-da'.y, and after 5 o'clock held a meeting in tho slaughterhouse to decide whether they would continue to work under (ho conditions laid down by the companies, or again strike. After discussion a, ballot was Inken on the subject, and 24 votes were cast in favour of continuation and a similar number in favour of relinquishing work. Tim matter was I hereupon left till to-morrow morning, when another meeting will be held, and a delinilo course of action decided upon. r I wo members of the' union working at Belfast visited Islington yesterday afternoon, and, as far ns could Iks ascertained, the .slaughtermen there concurred iu the action taken by the Belfast men, ami will accordingly strike if that course is decided on by tho slaughtermen at Belfast.