The Butchers' Strike

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 201, 23 February 1914, Page 5

The Butchers' Strike

TROUBLE SPREADING. OTHER TRADES RUSTLESS. By Cubic—Press Associution—Copyright Sydney, February 21. The grand council of the Moat Industry Union has declared the skins of cattle and sheep killed by the master butchers black, with the result that 300 tannery employees are rendered idle. The engine-drivers and firemen employed in the freezing chambers, at ft stop-work meeting, decided to eease work if such action was considered necessary in the interests of unionism. The cold storage employees resolved that if an attempt were made to handle fro/en meat for distribution they, too, would cease. Mr. Kstell claims that the men's acceptance of his proposals was tantamount to making an oiler to the master butchers.

The employers absolutely deny that they offered a compromise to the men on Thursday. They firmly adhere to their determination that if the men resume work it must be at the old award rates. The Labor Council has decided to intervene in the dispute, owing to the fact that a number of atliliated unions are affected or likely to be affected .

The meetings called to-day are likely to have an important bearing pn the position. The whole issue will he reviewed by the Komi Production and Distribution, Council, which includes fourteen unions, including tins bakers. it in understood thut certain advice will Tie given with regard to next week's bread supply. Amongst other probable developments, the ion-carters may refuse to deliver to meat-supplying depots, an additional three of which opened today.

OMIXOI'S POSITION IX THE IROX TRADE. DOCK WOUKKIiS DOWX TOOLS. Sydney, February 21. The outlook is such that tho strike is likely to extend widely. Tlie position in the iron trades is equally ominous. Already over two thousand men are out, and practically every firm of magnitude is affected. One of the most serious ph*seß of the strike is that some f»ur hundred men are out at Hoskins' pipe works at t itimo, with the result that the firm's contracts for the Water

mul Sewerage lioard arc at a standstill. This means that all the work of extending the city and suburban water supply is bung up. It also stops the extensions required for the erection of new buildings.

The. Trades and Labor Council has appointed a committee, representing the whole of the iron trades, to take charge of tho dispute and conduct negotiations. It has also been decided to place no obstacle in the way of lirins working wlich have already conceded the demands, amounting to from 4s to 10s daily.

Tho action of the men at Mort'n Woolwich docks in striking while ships are ijpdergoing repairs is regarded seriously by shipping companies. It is considered that it will have a detrimental effect on the port ami (locking companies. The employers are sore at the men disregarding constitutional methods of discussing their grievances nnd taking the law into their own hands.

Mr. Kstell has undertaken tha expediting of the consideration by the Wages Board of the men's claims.

XO SUNDAY .roiXTS. Received "22. 0.5 p.m. Sydney, February 22. All the meat depots yesterday were beseiged long before they were opened, nig crowds waited for hours without securing supplies. There was considerable jostling at some depots, and the police in charge had their work cut out to keep the crowds from rushing the shops. The supply fell far short of the demand, notwithstanding that a large number of householders had meat sent in from the country.

MR ESTELL'S MAXIFESTO. QUESTION' OF CONSTITUTIONAL SETTLEMENT. Received 22, u.ii p.m. Sydney, February 21. The chief development to-day is Mr. Estell's issue of a manifesto in reply to the employers' statements. After reviewing the position, lie says the employers claim that the trouble should be dealt with constitutionally. This, he sins, is a missile which rebounds on their own heads. The members of the Meat Industries Association have evidence which will enable the Industrial Department to prosecute the strikers and they have evidence which will enable the Court to cancel the registration of the Employees' Union. It is therefore their duty to the public to make the evidence available to the Court. Failing to do so, they are not dealing with this grave matter constitutionally.

Tlic men's committee have also issued u sin lenient complaining tliat they are called upon to light u combination of employers mo*L of whom are not remotely concerned in the dispute, and if this combination had not brought pressure to bear oil the employers, the strike would not have, been prolonged. In view of these circumstances, they considered the Government should undertake slaughtering and makg meat 'available to the public,