SYDNEY BUTCHERS' STRIKE.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VIII, Issue 644, 18 February 1914, Page 3

SYDNEY BUTCHERS' STRIKE.

TERMS OP THE MEN. RETURN IF DEMANDS GRANTED Sydney, Monday. The master butchers met to-day, and approved of the committee's lesolutions. They decided upon resumption of work at the Glebo abattoirs, and cattle will be sold at the Homebush yards. Mr Furse, of the Employees' Union, commenting on the employers' proposals, 3ays that the men are willing to resume to morrow provided wages and terms asked are granted. The secretary of the Masters' Association said the employers welcome any compulsorpy conference or pro-perly-constituted tribunal presided over by Judge Heydon, as they consider that they would receive cair treatment from such a way. The secretary of the Australian Workers' Union declares that a conspiracy exists on the part of the Employers' Federation to keep meat from the public. He considers that the Government should step in and control the abattoirs. The Government would be justified in immediately arresting and putting into gaol every member of the committee appointed by the Employers' Federation. There was recent precedent for the deportation of the members of this committee. The union could place five thousand men, armed if necessary at the servicce of the country to protect the interests of the public, and ensure the food supply. STRIKE OR LOCK-OUT? MEN READY TO WORK SHOPS. Sydney, Monday. - The secretary of the Meat Employees' Union stated to-day that the men's services had been dispensed with, the employers thus creating a lock-out. The Government was expected to put the law in motion, and the union was prepared to take over those shops which the employers' secretary stated he was prepared to hand over, and if slaughtering space were granted at Glebe they would, in the interests of the public, open the shops immediately for the sale of meat. SPREADING TO MELBOURNE. COMPULSORY CONFERENCE. Melbourne, Monday. Recognising the seriousness of the threat of the butchers' employees to cease work to-night, the council of the Federated Employees' Union is considering the question of taking charge of the dispute between the masters and men both in Sydney and Melbourne. Representatives of the various States were informed of the danger of a strike in Melbourne. They suggested applying to the court for a compulsory conference, but it is stated that the Sydney employees do not favour a conference.