BUTCHERS' STRIKE.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1993, 25 February 1914, Page 7

BUTCHERS' STRIKE.

CABINET MEETING.

THE PREMIER PRESENT.

PROTRACTED MEAT HUNGER.

PUBLIC GETTING RESTIVE. By Telecraph—Press Association—Copyright (Rec. February 2<i, ? p.m.) • Sydney, February 24. Immediately on landing from New Zealand, the State Premier (Mr. Holman) joined the Full Cabinet iii discussing the position iii connection with the strike of butchers wlw were working under an award in Sydney, and who ceased work on February D because the employers failed to concede their demands for a. 8-irour week and an advance of 10s. weekly in wagc-s. Cabinet remained in session for the greater part of tho day. For several days plain-clothes constables have been making inquiries regarding the master butchers' sources of supply of meat, methods ef distribution, prices, and other makers. - Tho result of the inquiries will be placed before Cabinet. Tho Must-mi Registrar also interviewed members oi the men's Council. People are cetting restive at the protracted meat liunger. The master butchers' supply is falling far short of the demand. Many households have been without meat for a week, excepting for what levies on Ipwlyards have yielded. Increasing, quantities of meat- are being obtained pnvately fr#m the country. The stress in North Sydney has beep re<heved by outside supplies. Slaughtermen are providing a limited supply to be sold in London. Sales are eoiltinued daily and larger consignments are promised.

At a pork Imteher broke away from liis_ ordinary line of business and stocked his shop with mutton. Hedid a "roaring" trade, but- eventually inspectors threatened him With pro sec litioiton the ground that his sliap was not licensed as a butcher's shop. Hie employer*, in a letter in reply ■tu i ® s ' e " (Minister of Labour) ask that those who have broken the law be prosecuted. Ho thinks a legal course is necessary to instil into employees honesty with, regard to contractual The. policy to be adopted is one for .the Government to settle, and the sooner it is decided and enforced, or, in the ■ alternative, the Act repealed, the better it \Vill be for everybody concerned. Yesterday's meat supply was inadequate, although the output- was the largest since the masters commenced killing. "Three additional depots were open to-day. Tho Strike Committee has decided that work bo continued in the meat preserving industries. The Labour Federation is opposed to a general strike. To-day's .meeting of tlie Employers'" Committee will discuss the question of accepting tho offers received of free labour and the calling on volunteer unpaid labour, so as to plans the industry on the eld footing. * Unionists liavo informed the Govern* nient that the employers liavo entered into a conspiracy with intent to restrain trade.

, POSITION UNCHANGED. * 1 (Rcc. February 25, 0,55 a.m.) ' , Sydney, -February 24. Excopting for. a further increase.in t.io unemployed number in tho iron $&& affiliated trades, Urn position is tinchangcd. , Efforts at souring a basis of settlement continue. • ' The wharf labourers, without consulting the union, decided- not' to handle frozen meat and rabbits wliite the butchers' strike continues. GOVERNMENT'S PJIPPOSALS. . NOT DISCLOSED. (Rec. February 2-5, 5.3G a.m.) Sydney, February 24. At the conclusion of .the meeting of Cabinet to-day, Mr. Holnrau aiinouii.ced that.he was not in a .position to make any announcement as to what decisions wore reached. Nor could li.e givg anv indication as to the Government's proposals respecting a settlement of the strike. THE BAKERS, TJIREATEX TO STRIKE. (Rec. February 24, 9,45 p.m..) • Sydney, February 24. The bakers threaten to strike unless the masters fcouseftt to a, eonferenee to discuss the question of the abolition or njght work. IRON TRADE, , PRACTICALLY PARALYSED. Sydney, February 24. •"We are going to abide by the law, and expect tlfe men to do tho- same thing." This .is a sentence from a statement published on behalf of. the employers in the iron ttade. It raises the whole issue at sta'ke in eonßection with this and other strikes. The iron trade is now practically paralysed. Most of the foundries are, to all intents and purposes, closed down. All contracts for locomotives and' water-mains are at a standstill. Steamer I repairs are also stopped.