THE SLAUGHTERMEM

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXV, Issue 10713, 6 February 1913, Page 5

THE SLAUGHTERMEM

I'OSITKLN IX CAXTEIUSURY. ATT ITU i)E OF WAT ICE SIDE WORK ICItS, (By Tchyivph.—Pros Aisuciation.) C'H'RISTCH URCH", Last Night. Tue most interesting development in the slaughtermen's dispute is the application of the three b:g Unions concerned (including Canterbury) lor registration under tho Arbitrat ion Act. Tue move is regarded as a "slim" one, designed to protect the men en strike against the formation of a "scab union" by non-representative workers, and a consequent- struggle oil - e lines of the Waihi strike. Meanwnile, the position of the contending parties is unchanged. Tho companies are repoited to have had a certain response to their applications for free labour-; but havo not yet fixed a date for restarting their works. The slaughtermen still maintain that no experts will offer themselves, and that the learners available will be incompetent to do anything like satisfactory v/crk, and unable to break the back of the, strike. The companies, on the other hand, are -said to welcome the -toppage of a week or two, and have not been inconvenienced so far. The attitude of the waterside workers toward "scab" labour will have an important bearing on the struggle between the men and the companies. Two Unions are now affiliated to the meat union, but it is conlidently asserted that if "free" labour is put on to work, the stevedores will refuso to handle the meat. Tho matter has been before the Avaterside workers, and has been referred to the Executive of the Federation of Labour for a pronouncement. POSITION IN POVERTY BAY. GISBORNE, Last Night, Slaughtering operations under free labour conditions Avere being continued satisfactorily t-o-day at Kaiti and Tokomaru Avorks. There were l wen-ty-three men on the Gisborue Sheepfarmers' Frozen Meat Company's board Avhen Avork Avas resumed this morning, several of the men avlio had been working on the two previous days being absent- through e.inor injuries, cuts, etc. At .1 o'clock the number had been strengthened to tAventy-soven, The company intends taking on new men as they come •.ilong until the board is made up to forty. Questioned as to tho position, Mr C. A. Do Latour (chairman of directors) stated that the Avork Avas very satisfactory, and quito up to the average Avork of the experts. There Avas nothing Avhatevcr to complain of on the cooling floor yesterday. "We are quite satisfied," he said, "and who tlier the slaughtermen remain out or not ayo shall get through the season avith satisfaction to our customers. It Avill be a matter for regret if it lias to be done Avithout the assistance of our past servants, avlio have done iliis Avork Avell, but that, is not going to prevent us from fulfilling our contracts with our clients. Tho interval that must expire before a.full board is efficient will cause, some delay but I do not anticipate that it will be inconvenient, taking into account the advanced stage of the season and the feed that is available. Another thing that is disappointing, is that it is absolutely necessary to reduce the number of hands attendant upon the output- of tho slaughter board, that would othenviso be employed. That, however, is quite beyond tho control of tho company until work obtains its normal limits." This afternoon Mr A. Dewing, manager of Messrs Nelson Bros.' Taruheru Avorks, informed a reporter that it had been decided to resume operations at Taruheru on Monday. The works Avill resume with the assurance of a full board of slaughtermen. As a matter of fact, the company could have made a start, to-day, hut' in vieAV of Thursday and Friday being race days, tho employees generally prefer to attend tlie -same, and Saturday being a half (holiday it had been arranged to postpone the start till Monday. Mr Dewing added that there would be no difficulty whatever in filling the board. The men that Avere being taken on were outsiders, although several had killed at Tomeana at different times. Tho nev. hands Avere mostly from the country, arid they had a knowledge of the Avork.

There arc now eighteen mon oti the boards fit Tokoniaru, and wo:'!- is going along quickly. Mr J. Reardon is expected here on Friday, and as a mass meeting of the Freezers' Union is convened |'o ; - Monday night, probably something .lefiniie as to the attitude of the i'ree.-.<>rs will be then forthcoming. * AT WAXGAXT'r. WAXGANIJT. Last Night. The response to the \Vang.Htoi Freezing Company's call for fiee labour lias- been responded to by twenty men, and it is anticipated by the manager that, the works will be in lull swing again with full board". ;va jlr.nday.