THE SLAUGHTERMEN'S STRIKE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8367, 25 February 1907, Page 5

THE SLAUGHTERMEN'S STRIKE.

By Telegraph—Press Association

PALMERSTON N., February 23. The slaughtermen employed by the National Mortgage Company, at the Longburn Freezing Works, have intimated that they require an increase in the killing rate from 20s per hundred to 235. Tlbe demand has t?e?n granted, pending an award of the Arbitration Court. CHRISTCHURCH, February 23. Much anxiety is expressed regard* ing the position of the slaughtermen's dispute. Rumours are common that Monday will see all the slaughtermen in freezing works on strike. It is undersood that the Pareora stHke was premature, and the result of a misunderstanding. A big meeting of slaughtermen, it is understood, will be held this evening, on the result of which the strike depends. All the Christchurch freezing works are going on quietly to-day, except where the men were away at their annual picnic. The managers of both companies are reticent as to the position, but it is generally understood that the situation is very grave. CHRISTCHURCH, February 24. About one hundred and twenty slaughtermen fnom the Islington and Belfast works held a meeting, this afternoon, but the press was excluded, and the decision arrived at was carefully kept secret. It appears, however, that the officers of the union have, from the fii*st, discouraged anything approaching a strike. Three members of the unionone from Islington, one from Fairfieidand one from Belfast—including Mr Munro,' secretary of the Union, attended this afternoon's meeting. Mi* Munro read the Arbitration Act, and pointed out the penalties for refusing to work. Another officer of Christchurch followed suit, after which the meeting, by a unanimous motion, requested the officers of the Union to leave, which they did. It is understood that the slaughtermen will submit their demands to both companies to-morrow. An officer of the Union informed a reporter that he understood that the action taken in different towns was independent, and that there had been no previous arrangement between the centres.