Will Not Meet.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 41, 18 February 1914, Page 5

Will Not Meet.

SYDNEY MEAT INDUSTRY. EFFORTS TOWARDS MEDIATION. [By Electric Telegraph—Copyright, [United Press Association.] (.Received 9.15 a.m.) Sydney, February 18. Mr Estell (Minister of Labor) continued his efforts towards mediation throughout yesterday. He had two interviews with the masters’ committee, and suggested that the committee should confer with the Union delegates. This was deeliend on the ground that no possible good could result, and a counter suggestion was made that Mr Astell, the Secretary of the Labor Council, and the industrial commissioner should confer with the men with a view to resuming under the old conditions. The executive of the Labor Council considered the suggestion that an effort should be made to get into touch with the meat industry, hut the Union officials failed. The later, however, were informed from another source, it is stated, that the proposals were no good to them. At the Cabinet’s instructions, Mr Estell resumes his efforts at mediation to-day. He is hopeful of lidding a way-out, though

he insists that the Arbitration Act must ho observed.

The Secretary of the Labor Federation of Australasia says he is watching developments, and is prepared to afford any help required, but the Federation lias no idea of a general strike, and the dispute should he confined to the meat industry. Sydney employers state that there is sufficient frozen meat in the stores to meet all Sydney’s demands for a fortnight or three weeks. It has, been arranged to open three depots to-day, two in the city, and one at Rochdale for distribution, but there is a possibility of this move being blocked. A meeting of the Grand Council of the Australasian meat industry decided to work all frozen meat intended for export, hut the question of distribution in the City was postponed to a meeting to he held on Friday. This is interpreted to mean that if the Council so decides, the cold storage employees will he asked to strike in sympathy with other em ployees in the industry.

Fresh moat is still available in the suburbs and country, but there if none in the City.

The Unionists explain that no stock was purchased on their behalf at yesterday’s stock sales because no slaughtering facilities were available, practically the whole of the abattoirs’ space having been leased by the carcase butchers. The strike has already idled 4000, including 200 carcase carters. Melbourne, February 18. The trouble over the pen-cleaning has been settled, and the slaughtermen have resumed, but the butchers’ shop employees have made claims bringing them into lino with the Sydney men’s demands, demanding a con. fcrence within forty-eight hours; and failing settlement that they leave work on Friday morning. The masters granted a conference for to-day.