"No Interference!"

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 39, 16 February 1914, Page 5

"No Interference!"

SYDNEY'S MEAT SUPPLY. OVERTURES FOR A SETTLEMENT. [Br Electric Telegraph—Copyright] [UiJited Press Association.] Sydney, February 15. The Meat Employers' Committee has passed a resolution that in s the event of the men returning to work forthwith in accord with the existing award and conditions in force on February 4 and the employers wishing to apply to the Wages Board for a variation of the award, the employers will not oppose such application, but jdo everything in their power to expedite the Board's arrival at a decision, and that if the men accept Ibis offer, the carcase butchers will resume operations to-morrow, and agents will givo notice of resumption of sales on Tuesday.

The secretary of the Australian Workers' Union declares there is a conspiracy on the part of the Employers' Federation to keep meat from the public. He considers the Government should step in and control the abattoirs. The Government would be justified in immediately arresting and putting in gaol every member of the committee appointed by the Employers' Federation with the recent precedent for deportation. Members of this Committee Union could place five thousand men, armed if necessary, at the service of the country to protect the interests of the public and ensure a food supply. The master butchers met to-day and approved the Committee's resolutions, and decided on the resumption of work at Glebe Island, and cattle will be sold at Homebush.

Mr Furse, of the Employees' Union, commenting on the employers' proposals, says the men are willing to resume to-morrow, provided the wages and terras asked for are granted. SYDNEY MEAT DISPUTE. (Received 10.45 a.m.) Sydney, February 16. The secretary of the Meat Employers' Union states that the men's services were dispensed with, the employers thus creating a lockout, and that the Government is,expected to put the law in motion. The union is prepared to take over those shops which the employers' secretary states lie is prepared to hand over, and if slaughtering space is granted at Glebe Island he will, in the interests of the public, open shops immediately for the sale of meat. A SERIOUS POSITION. (Received 11.10 a.m.) Melbourne, February 16. Recognising the seriousness of the butchers' employees to cease work tonight, the Council of the Federated Employers' Union is considering the question of taking charge of the dispute between the masters and the men. Both the Sydney and Melbourne representatives of the various States were informed of the danger of the strike. Melbourne suggested applying to the court for a compulsory conference, but it was reported that the Sydney employees do not favour a conference, preferring to fight without interference.