The Meat Strike.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 40, 17 February 1914, Page 5

The Meat Strike.

NO SIGN OF SETTLEMENT. THE POSITION IN SYDNEY. [By Eleotbio Telegraph— Copyright] [United Press Association.] Sydney, February 16. Three thousand are at present affected by the butchers' strike, and unless a speedy settlement is made it is estimated that 15,000 men -.rill be out of work in two days. Arrangements have been 1 ado to supply the hospitals and Government institutions by the Masters' Association. There is a great dernan 1 for dairy produce and fish, and iu some cases prices have advanced. EXTENDED TO MELBOURNE. Melbourne, February 16. The slaughtermen at the city abattoirs ceased work to-day. The men refused to clean the pens after killing, and the employers also refused to do the work. The City Council intervened. By closing the abattoirs 1000 men and 200 employers will be inoperative. The city is faced with a meat famine. THE MASTERS' RESOLUTIONS. Sydney, February 16. Three resolutions have been submitted to Mr Estell (Minister of Labor) by the masters: That in the event of the union men not responding to the requisition to start work, no attempt to commence frilling will be made at present with free labor; that retail masters be informed that the commatee is arranging for the supply of frozen beef to the trade, and the retail butchers must devise the best means of distributing to the public ; that it is desirable that no stock be slaughtered lor export while the public of Sydney is without supplies. The resolutions were conveyed to a meeting of the men. i ; THE STRIKE GOES ON. (Received 9.35 a.m.) Sydney, February 17. A mass meeting* qf strikers unanimously decided to reject the employers proposals made through the Minister of Labour. They explained that they would have been prepared to favourably consider resumption on their own terms, leaving the subsequent decision to the Court. The strike therefore goes on.

A COMPLETE DEADLOCK. THE EFFECT BECOMING SERIOUS ' * ' (Received .9.40 asmf) Sydney, February 17. The selling agents will offer stock at Homebush to-day, but as the men have decided to continue the strikethere is small chance of much buying. On the slaughtermen, representatives of : the* >■• Butchers' Union will attend the: sales to bid, a resolution having been carried empowering the- committee thus to use the Union funds. ' Application will be made, for slaughtering space at Glebe Island. The general secretary of the Australian . Workers' Union says that the Government ought to see it is granted. The Minister for Works informed the. Union representatives that so long as they break the law by striking they will not be allowed to use the machinery of the Industrial Arbitration Act. They have 180 cases pending against employers which may be delayed by the disqualification of the Union in proportion to the period during which the illegal attitude is maintained. The employees of the Riverstou meat works will strike in sympathy with the Globe Island men.

The position is a deadlock, and no r tiling can be done until- the Government takes further action.

Representatives of the Employers' Committee will interview the Minister to-day in an attempt to reach a solution.

A compulsory conference has been convened in Melbourne because of the trouble there, and three Sydney executive officers have been summoned to attend. An official of the Union states that if they succeed in purchasing stock at Homebush to-day, and killing space at Glebe Island is granted, meat will be available foi;,the metropolitan area to-morrow. If the project is blocked, a regular meat famine is certain through no fault of the men's. A number of unions affiliated to the Labor Council having now directly or indirectly become involved, the Council to-night will probably consider the question of intervention. Unless there is ii settlement within a day or two the closing of many tanneries, boiling down and kindred works, throwing thousands idle, is certain.

The Newcastle butchers deckled to continue working and to afford financial support to the Sydney men, feeling that the position here and at Melbourne,, in view ol the temper of the two sides, contains all ; the elements of a i>ig industrial crisis, which it will require the most careful handling to avert. MASTER BUTCHERS' DECISION. (Received 10.45 a.m.) Sydney, Febninry 17. The master butchers have decided that the shops shall he rjosed today, but one in *»ach guburh will be opened to-morrow.