THE BUTCHERS' STRIKE.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VIII, Issue 649, 7 March 1914, Page 5

THE BUTCHERS' STRIKE.

SHOPS RE-OPEN

FARMERS READY TO COME DOWN.

By Telegraph.—Press Association.— OopyriK-nt Sydney, Thursday.

The master butchers state that every shop in the Metropolitan area will be opened to-day. It is alleged that many volunteers have offered, including a number of unionist shopmen. It is also claimed that 5000 farmers ana their sons are ready to eomd from the country if needed. The men deny that any unionists have returned, but a meeting will be held this forenoon at which the leaders will explain the position so far as the offer to the masters to re-engage unionist is concerned. The unionists express the opinion that the attempt to run the shops by non-unionist labour will fail and that all the competent men are unionists. The public is already tired of the kind of meat sold at the depots. In Ministerial circles it is confidently believed that the end of the strike is in view. Mr Holman and Mr Estell (Minister for Labour further discussed the position with the employers to-day, putting before them a proposal slightly less favourable. In the House of Assembly the debate on the Address-in-Reply was responsible for strong criticism of the Government's general policy and his attitude towards strikes. MEAT STRIKE ENDED. IRON WORKERS BALLOT. day, 8.30 a.m. Sydney, This Day. The meat strike is ended, and the men resume on Monday. An overwhelming majority at a mass meeting agreed to accept the Premier's proposals. The Union officials said they had been assured the terms were agreed to by the employers. The terms of settlement are unavailable. A meeting of the ironworkers decided to take a ballot as early as possible as to the desirability of returning to work.