THE SLAUGHTERMEN'S DISPUTE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13859, 23 March 1907, Page 10

THE SLAUGHTERMEN'S DISPUTE.

PACTORIE3 IN FULL OPERATION. (Pis Usited Press Association.) CHUISTOIIURCH, March 22. Tho dispute Ix'iwoon tlx; slaughtermen at Belfast and Islington nnd tho proprietary companies was settled this morning., A meeting was heltl at Belfast at 7 a.m.j and Mr P. Waymouth, manager, was present, Tho •men decided to rcsnmo work, immediately and skin tho sltcep according to the companies' interpretation of elauee 4 in (lie agreement, tvliich deals with skinning. The companies mainJaincd that tlm Jioad should also he skinned ; the men objected to skinning tho heads, hut to-day agreed to do this work, as in the past. Tiio men at. Islington bad decided to follow the course adopted at Belfast, and operations at both factories are being carried on as usual. Tho agreement, lias not liecn signed yet, fait it is not thought them will bo any further hitch, and tho signatures will probably bo attached, to-morrow, or early next .week. Messrs Davey and Witty, M.H.R,'s, who fiuccessfuliy acted as mediators when the recent, strike was in progress, were oil their way to Cheviot yesterday with tho Acting Pnmo Minister when they received news of tho trouble, and as it seemed a serious matter _ they immediately returned, at Inconvenience to themselves, Teaching Christchurch late at night. They eaw some of tho Inon at Belfast, and discussed Ihe position with the in, in view of the meeting to he held this morning. This morning the two M.H.R.'s went out to Belfast us earlv a » possible, and found the slaughtermen working away quite cheerfully, evidently fully satisfied to continim work under tho agreement.

It seems that at Iho meeting there was a good deal of discussion' amongst the men in regard to the course that had been Adopted. Mr Waymouth repealed what ho had said yesterday—that if tho heads were not skinned /the, men would not ho employed, and gave bis foreman instructions accordingly. _ Fifty-thrco of tl<e men out of about 60 said they would skiii the heads. The others stood out for tho new method introduced from Australia. The majority started work, and then the others went over one by ono until only three were left. .Ultimately these said, " Well, if you fellows are going to work, we will start, loo," and the whole complement was soon engaged and iho factory was in full operation. Messrs Davey and Witty wero received by the men with marks of favour and appreciation of their good services. Tho two members wero heartily cheered, and Iho men joined in singing "For tlicy arc jolly good fellows." A -premature rumour yesterday that tho slaughtermen wero again on strike seriously affected the stock sales throughout Canterbury. Business in fat sheep was virtually at a standstill, and sonic of tho ,sales were postponed. This means a seri'ous loss in some eases.