UNSUCCESSFUL, NEGOTIATIONS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2762, 20 February 1907, Page 21

UNSUCCESSFUL, NEGOTIATIONS.

oTmau Ova On C«ui»m«iit.)

WELLINGTON, February 15. The slaughtermen's strike continues, the Caen being very determined. The position is /ally explained by the statement of Mr Cooper, the .secretary of the Slaughtermen's (Union, as publi«sed in this evening's paper. "I am keenly disappointed with tho failure of th« negotiations," remarked Mr Cooper, who has been acting for the union Ba the present trouble at his own expense.

" The night before last, after two hcurs' discussion, I persuaded the men to accept 23s per 100 ehe^p as an immediate settlement. If this rate was not agreeable to the employers, the men would adhere to their original demand for 255. Yesterday, after two personal interviews and much ringing up on telephones, I got definite word fiom the companies that thf>y would not offer more than 22s 6d. This was considered at a mass meeting of the men last night, and they decided to stick to the 255. I was approached by the other s:de at about 11 o'clock last night (after the men had dispersed), and they offered 23s for freezers, and rates for preservers and potters showing a proportionate increase on the Canterbury scale. the Wellington rates would be 235, 17s, and 14s, as against £1, 15s, and 12s in Canterbury. I told them I thought the thing 1 "was hopeless, but I went out to the men this morning. They refused the offer. They declined to even hold a meeting 1 . The companies springing 6d here and there annoyed them, and they said they would not hold any further communication with the companies till 25s was offered. I advised Mr Millward, of the Gear Company, to personally see the men, and he went out this morning. At the time that the men agreed to take 23s they wanted 23s all round (for freezers, potters, and preservers), and I understand now pretty authoritatively that the companies are willing to offer that rate all round. If that had been offered yesterday the men would have been working to day, but by the present temper of the men there seems no possibility of their accepting the 235. The threatened prosecutions by the Department of Labour has also intensified the feeling. I feel so hopeless of a settlement at present that I am going away this afternoon to Palmerston North and Wanganui Jor the sittings of the Conciliation Board, and I shall not be back till Tuesday." To-day the beef slaughterers at the Wellington Meat Company's works at Ngahauranga struck work in sympathy with the sheep slaughtermen. So far as can be ascertained these meu are making no demands on their own behalf. It has now been decided to cito all the men in the present strike before th Arbitration Court. Mr Skerrett has been retained for the defence.