IMPORTANT DEVELOPMENTS PENDING.

Wanganui Chronicle, Issue 12857, 29 January 1913, Page 5

IMPORTANT DEVELOPMENTS PENDING.

ANOTHER CONFERENCE OF THE

FREEZING COMPANIES' DELEGATES TO BE HELD.

WELLINGTON, Jan. 28

There are likely to be some developments of importance very soon in connection with the slaughtering dispute. Both sides now appear to be ma-Sing a move, but whether it is a move tostether or a move still further apart, has yet to be demonstrated. On Friday another conference of representatives of the meat freezing companies is to be held in Wellington. It has been convened by Sir. George Clifford, and will be practically a continuation of the conference which sat here on the 17th inst., arid issued the,ultimatum to the men, which expired, last Friday; TSiis week's {conference' will. b6 heild kin the same day tlu\b 'themen's notice to eeaso work in nearly all sheds will expire. The purpose for which the conference has been convened is not publicly stated, but it is surmised^that the delegates are being called, together to review the position in the light of recent*"developments. The action of the men in ignoring the offer of the previous ;,cpnference will have to be discussed, while the breakaway, of the Wellington Farmers'' Meat Company (Waingawa) may lead other companies to reconsider their attitude. One suggestion, is that the companies may , decide to give in to the men's demands for increased wages, and to make agreements similar to \that concluded at . Waingawii last Saturday. On the other hand- it is considered that the^ora-? panics will stand firm' and let the!;works be closed for the rest of the season, in the hop,9 of being able to make a fresh start next year. In the meantime the Slaughtermen's Federation is making .a definite move. The secretary, Mr M. J. Reardon, stated to-day that he had opened up negotiations with several of the smaller companies, with a view to securing agreements similar to the new Waingawa one. He was negotiating at present with those companies which were regarded as being most likely, to study-the interests of the farming community. If agreements could be arranged aa gnod as that made sat Waingawa, the Federation would come to terms. There was little doubt that the men elsewhere would be willing to work under the conditions there agreed upon.