DECISIVE STAND BY SHEEP FARMERS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 15672, 27 January 1913, Page 2 (Supplement)

DECISIVE STAND BY SHEEP FARMERS.

POSITION AT POVERTY BAY. GI3I3ORNE. January 12. In this district the sheep farmere arc prepared to assist tho freezing companies of Giabornc and Tokomaru in any manner considered practicable to resist the demands of

the slaughtermen. This fact was announced last evening by Mr Richard Shorratt, who yesterday presided over a mooting of 70 sheep farmers convened to consider their position with regard to tho slaughtermen's dispute. The following resolutions wore carried ■unanimously:— " That, in the opinion of this meeting, as amy increase in expenditure on tho part of tho freezing; companies will fall upon the producers, the demands of the slaughtermen to increase the rate to 30s per 100, and to impose vexatious conditions upon the freezing companies should bo resented; that in tho event of a strike taking placo tho farmers recommend the freezing companies at Gisborne and Tokomaru to rely upon volunteer labour, and this meeting undertakes that all those in attendance will individually use every effort to supply suitable labour as it may bo required." Mr Sherratt states that in the event of a strike the sheep farmers aro prepared to find sufficient free labour to man tho boards, and should tho employment offroo labour at tho boards causo an extension of such a strike to tho wharves or elsewhere they are also prepared to see their meat safely 6hippr<l. All the farmers present also indicated their willingness to hold their 6tock in case of need.