The Butchers’ Strike

Southland Times, Issue 10967, 19 February 1907, Page 2

The Butchers’ Strike

GEAR CO.’S MEN RESUME. Per United Press Association. WELLINGTON, Fob. 18. Through the mediation of Mr G. Loudon, Mayor of Pet one, the slaughtermen on strike at the Goar Company’s works at, Petono decided to resume work, at eight this morning at 25s per 100. The men at the Wellington Moat Company’s works at Nghahuranga consider the matter today. WORK RESTARTS AT PAREORA. TIM ARU, Fob. 18.

The butchers at Pareora Freezing Works resumed work this morning, a full board of temporary slaughtermen's assistants having boon obtained. The butchers’ assistants who Went out on strike arc still standing out, with one exception, who took the place of one of the temporary assistants shortly after work resumed this morning. STRIKE BREAKS DOWN. A later message from Timaru says ; The strike at Pareora has broken down. The butchers resumed work this morning with a scratch crew of assistants, and during the day' consideration of an offer by the managing director, and the persuasions of Mr Johns, secretary of the Union, led the men to agree to resume work to-morrow. The offer is that if the men turn to at once at the present rate (lOid an hour) the award shall bo reconsidered, and if the rate is increased they shall receive the difference as back pay from date.

The butchers desire to say that their action in refusing to work by sections should not bo construed ns a strike. A "REPORTER’S ENQUIRIES. CHRISTCHURCH, Feb. 18. A reporter who made enquiries today at the Canterbury Frozen Meat Company’s office, was informed that the slaughtermen’s strike is not likely to extend to the Belfast hands, who are members of the Union and fully cognisant of what such a step would mean. The -jParoora strikers are casual workers and non-unionists.J* At the office of the Christchurch Meat Company it whs ascertained that there has been no further development in the slaughtermen’s trouble so far as Canterbury is concerned. As far as can be learned the employes at Islington and Smithfield are not feeling any dissatisfaction. AN APPEAL TO GOVERNMENT. WELLINGTON, Fob. 18.

At a meeting of the directors of the Wellington Meat Export Co. today it was decided to interview the Minister of Labour this afternoon and to ascertain whether the Government proposed to do anything to relieve the position. The ‘suggestion that the Government thould endeavour to get butchers to take the places of those men who have left the company at the Ngahauranga works was brougnt under the Minister’s notice. The (directors of the company were supported by representatives of ; the various employers’ associations in the city. 1 The proceedings were not open lotto press, but it is seportod that the Minister promised to bring before the Cabinet the suggestion that the Government should endeavour tq find sufficient slaughtermen to allow the (company' to proceed with its export business.