THE SLAUGHTERMEN'S DEMANDS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2711, 15 January 1910, Page 5

THE SLAUGHTERMEN'S DEMANDS.

THE POSITION IN GISBORNE.

SLAUGHTERMEN GIVE NOTICE TO STRIKE.

Both the local freezing companies have received formal notice from the slaughtermen in their employ, that they intend to strike if the recent demands are not complied with. This action on the part of the men occasioned no little surprise in view of the conference which was being held in Wellington yesterday. It is taken to really mean that the men have no idea of being influenced by the finding of the Conciliation Council, and also that they are not prepared to accept any compromise. It is rumored that the local employers would have been ready to meet the .men half-way in their demands, but not to wholly accede to them. The arbitrary attitude of the men has occasioned considerable adverse criticism, many being of the opinion that they have made a big mistake in endeavoring to force the hands of their employers, by striking just at the commencement of the busy season. The general impression appears to be. gaining ground that a strike must ensue, if the men hold to their expressed determination; 'As has already been stated, close upon 400 men will be affected, the majority of whom are ill prepared to face unemployment for any length of time-, and about £IOOO weekly in wages will be withdrawn from circulation in the town. Both works are still engaged in killing operations, though not busily. Large numbers of sheep are offering, but they are not being accepted; as in view of a possible strike small lots only are being dealt with.

A CONFERENCE IN WELLINGTON. rPi;.u I* it ess Association.! WELLINGTON, Jan. 14. An important conference of represen. tatives of employers in various parts of the Dominion interested in the slaughtermen’s dispute was held in Wellington to-day to consider the position. The proceedings were held in camera. Definite overtures were made to endeavor to get a conference, with the representa. tives of the Slaughtermen’s Federation or the local union with a view to endeavoring to amicably settle the dispute. The representatives of the men met the emnloyers’ representatives this evening. A long conference took place, but no announcement was vouchsafed as to anything in the nature of a settlement having been reached.

REPORTED' SETTLEMENT OF THE DIFFICULTY.

WELLINGTON, Jan. 15. This morning’s “New Zealand Times” understands that at the conference tli© emnloyers and the slaughtermen’s representatives arrived at an agreement, to operate throughout, that 25s per hundred is to be paid, the eight hour day granted and fines for damaged skins abolished, with preference for Unionists.

THE DIFFICULTY IN CANTERBURY SETTLED.

CHRISTCHURCH, Jan. 14. After several days’ negotiations the matters in dispute between the Freezing companies and the Canterbury Slaughtermen’s Union were satisfactorily settled this afternoon. The only information available is that an agreement has been arrived at and that work would continue as usual. It is understood that an industrial agreement, embodying file understanding arrived at, will be drawn up and signed up the parties and submitted to the Court of Arbitration for confirmation.