MORE HOPEFUL

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1989, 20 February 1914, Page 7

MORE HOPEFUL

STRIKE OUTLOOK.

SLAUGHTERING RESUMED

AT GLEBE.

EMPLOYERS DOING THE WORK,

MEN MAY START TO-DAY.

By Telegraph-Press toocintlqn-CoDyrtent (Roc. February 19, 8.45 p.m.) Sydney, February 19. • j Although the butchers, who ceased work heeauso the employers failed to ] concede their demands for a 48-hour week and an advance of 10s. weekly in wages, are still on strike tho outlook is more hopeful. The efforts by Mr. Estcll (Minister of Labour) promise to seeuro a compromise. As a result of yesterday's negotiations, the Minister propounded a scheme for an interim award, to bo 'signed by both parties, and to be operative until the Industrial Court gives its finding; also stipulating,that,whatever the- wages ultimately awarded tlioy bo retrospective to the beginning of the dispute. Mr. Estoll believes tho end of the trouble is in sight, the -nidi's representatives having promised to advocate acceptance of tho scheme. Renewed activity was manifested at tho Glebe abattoirs to-day, when between seventy and eighty master butchers "were slaughtering sheep and cattle. No attempt was made to iiiteTforo with th&m. but a deputation from the operative butchers passed through the pens, to see that no non-union, hands were employed. There were 2500 sheep a.nd some 300 cattle available for a start. These will go a long way towards relieving tho. demands <rf the public. Future supplies of stock aro assured. Distributing depots were opened, but yesterday's scrambling methods were not .in evidence. ■,'•■' At a meeting of the master butchers to-day there was some dissontion as to the proposed terms of settlement. Some of those present thought that the whole meat industry terms—conditions' of work and wages—Should be submitted to arbitration. .There was also objection on both side's regarding the hours, but Mr. Estcll pointed out that it was intended (a,s ■ early as possible) to amend' tho Arbitration Act to bring in an eight-hours day wherever pra-etk-able. Mr. Estcll suggested an award, tci be confirmed by the Court.

The basis of tho jiew arrangement will, it is anticipated, be % 49J-ho«rs' week, and an nil-round increase of.ss. per week. A tribunal was constituted immediately from both, sides .to accept the terms, the ujYimi to''be given power to amend its claim by seeking a variation of wages aftd hours, which wore the subject of the original claim. Mr. Estell is confident that the men will iitfeept tho proposition, at to-night's meeting. The- masters havo also to communicate the. final dcoision. There new seems to be every possibility of the men resuming work to-morrow. Tho meat depots yesterday Were besieged. Great crowds gathering long before tho opening hour. Some women waited five hours in the hope of securing a supply of the big stuffs. Master butchers were at each depot, and were kept busy far two hours attending to fiJnmorouß demands.,.of eixoited,;, meathungry citizens. .* Many had to bo turned empty away. -..,?■■ Atone depot 140 sheep were disposed ..of in fprty.miputcs '. • . TERMS ACCEPTED* WORK TO BE RESUMED, (Rec. February 20, 0.55 a.m.) Sydney, February 19. ■A meeting of batchers decided to .accent Mr. Estill's suggested terms as a fair basis of settlement. The Minister was informed th'st the. effect -. of the terms were: Resumption of work forthwith on conditions that the employees

shall have a flat rate increase in wages to Ss, above the .award rites, with hours Eofc exceeding 49J. PRESS COMMENT. ON MR, HOLMAN'S WELLINGTON SPEECH. Sydney, February 19. The "Herald," referring to Mr. Holnran's speech at Wellington, says.:— "The Premier must not be taken too seriously when away from, the corrective influence of the hard facts of a tense situation. From the- nature of his utterances., .one would imagine tbo present industrial trouble was the accidental interruption of'.the quiet flow of the river -of peace, a mere chip flung into a smooth current to indicate the speed aftd direction. It may bb tho invigorating, result of his sea voyage, or possibly Ih's .long distance from the scene of turmoil, that moved those ex* traordinary self-contradictory remarks. Ho will find quits enough to do to secure loyalty to the principle of_ arbitration in the near future., for evidence is rapidly accumulating that great mwn* hers of Labour supporters have made up their minds that arbitration is no good to them." Tho "Daily Telegraph." . after some caustic comments on Mr, IMnmifs optimism with regard to arbitration, adds: "As-a matter of fact, nothing has been more completely demonstrated a failure than arbitration' r»s n- preventive lOr.cum of -and throughout Australia confidence' in it is such that instead of increasing it is either dying or dead." v MR. HOLMAN INTERVIEWED, Christchurehi February 19. The Bon. W. A, Holm.an, interviewed regarding ,tho Sydney , "Sun's" comment oji his absence from Sydney, stated it was difficult from tho cable summary to tell the exact- tone, of the "Sun's;" criticism, bflt lie had) be£ii in constant touch with his colleagues, and had not been informed of any urgent need for his presence, w'hereas personal attention to business in Wellington was absolutely necessary. There has been SS boat from Wellington for-a week, a.ud he is catching the next steamer. Jln Holmijn said, further, that the only observation that occurred to him was that the na.ivo acceptance by the Sydney press of a condensed report as conveying. tho true purport of nis remarks at Wellington surprised him. Probably a doz.in sentences, taken from his speech, had been cabled over, and, utiou the Suggestion that they conveyed, these criticisms had been based. Tho "man in the street" might be pardoned for assuming that the cabled report faithfully reproduced the sponger's meaning, but tho press itself ought U> know better. It was impossible, ho added, to carrv on a controversy at a distance of 1200 miles, and lie had tiotliinss to Say, except that apparently the Sydney newspapers on this occasion had spoken without any warrant.

RATES OF PAY IN MELBOUBNE. INCREASE RECOMMENDED. Melr/oUrrie, February 19. It is understood, as the result of the conference between the master butchers and the men, ■ the former have agreed to recommend aril -'all-found increase of" st; weekly. The conference will reassemblo en. nest.