The Butchers' Strike

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 197, 18 February 1914, Page 5

The Butchers' Strike

NO SETTLEMENT YET. A COMPLETE DEADLOCK. By Cable —Press Association—Copyright Sydney, February 17. A mass meeting of strikers unanimously decided to reject the employers' proposals made through the Minister of Labor. It was explained that they would have prepared favorably to consider resumption on their own terms, leaving the subsequent decision

to the court. The strike therefore goes on. Sydney, February 17. Selling agents will offer stock at Homebush to-day, but as the men have decided to continue the strike there is small chance of much buying on behalf of the slaughtermen. Representatives oi the Butchers' Union will attend the sales and bid, a resolution having been carried empowering the committee tnus to use the union funds. An application will be made for slaughtering space at Glebe Island. The general secretary of the Australian Workers' Union says the Government ought to gee that it is granted. The Minister of 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 100 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 at Kivcrstone Meat Works will Btrike in sympathy with the Glebe Island men. The position is at o deadlock, and nothing can be done until the Government tak«s further action. Representatives of the Employers' Committee will interview the Minister to-day and ' attempt to reach a solution. A compulsory conference has been convened in Melbourne, because of the trouble there. Three Sydney executive ♦flicers have been summoned to attend. An official of the union states that ii they succeeded in purchasing stock at Homebush to-day and killing space at Glebe Island is granted, meat will be available in the metropolitan area tomorrow. H the project is blocked a regular meat famine is certain, through no fault of the men. A number of unions affiliated to the Labor' Council having now directly or indirectly become involved,--the council 1 to-night'iftll probably consider the question of intervention. ''Unless .a settlement is reached within a day or two the closing of many tanneries, boiling-down and kindred works is certain, rendering thousands idle. Thi' Newcastle butchers hafe decided to continue working and to afford financial support to the Sydney men, feeling that the position here and in Melbourne, in view of the temper of the two hides, contains all the elements of a big industrial crisis, which will require the most careful handling to avert. HOPE FOR HOUSEWIVES. Sydney, February 17. The master butchers decided that the &hops should be closed to-day, but that one in each suburb should be opened tomorrow. MEAT SHORTAGE CONTINUES. STATE INTERVENTION PROBABLE. Received 17, 8.55 p.m. Sydney, February 17. Thi' meat shortage was continued to day. Both sides promised supplies, but none. were forthcoming. There was a big run on fish, bacon, eg^' s it was impossible to secure bacon and hams for prompt delivery, and future consignments are already sold. The union officials are busy arranging to supply fresh meat to-morrow. T«o representatives had authority to buy stock at Homebush, but none was purchased at the sheep sales, the una 11 carcase butchers stating that it ■ of no use buying if they were unable to get the stock killed, and there w:m nowhere to put them. There was a Cabinet meeting to-day, and there is probability of Government

intervention. The Employees' Committee denies the union's statements that pressure wan brought to bear upon individuals wishin:? to kill stock, and say that there was no interference and no intimidation of any kind. TROUBLE MAY SPREAD. Received 17, 10 p.m. Sydney, February 17. Mr. Adeline, Federal president of the Meat Employees' Union, considers tli.it the only means for settling the dispute is for the judge of the Federal Arbitration Court to grant a compulsory conference. Unless active steps are taken, tittrouble will spread to South Australia Every master butcher in the State * being circularised, asking him to conform to the Federal log wages, which the union hopes will become operain.' in this State and Victoria.