The Butchers' Strike

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 202, 24 February 1914, Page 5

The Butchers' Strike

GOOD IXTKXTIOXS THWARTED. EMPLOYERS BLAMED. By Cable—Press Association—Copyright Sydney, February 23. Mr. Eslell claims that the good intentions with regard to penalising strikes have been thwarted owing to the disinclination of the employers to perform their duty to the public by supplying evidence which will enable the penal clauses to be enforced. The Act lias failed because the employers had not assisted the Department in making a strike the expensive expedient lliev intended it to be.

The iron trades strike is causing a serious dislocation at the docks. Many ship-repairing orders have, been refused. There is no present prospect of a settlement of tlw meat strike. The Labor Council has decided on a course of action with regard to the unions affected or likely to be affected. This'''has not boen disclosed, but has been eommuniicated to the unions themselves. The men's committee of enquiry replied to the Labor Council's proffered aid that the meat industry would control the strike and would inform the council if a further extension should take place. Limited stock sales were held to-day. The employers aim at opening many additional depots this week. Saturday's shortage of meat was due to the small number of stock available for killing, also to the eold storage employees' refusal to handle meat. The employers propose to overcome the latter difficulty by handling the meat themselves. They have received many offers of assistance from' outside the members of the association, but so far. have declined to avail themselves' of free labor. Some £SOOO has been subscribed to the employers' defence fund. This, .with the profits from the sale of meat at the depots, will be used for compensation to the smaller butchers and other purposes associated wjth the struggle.

CABINET DISCUSSES THE STRIKE. PLAN'S NOT DISCLOSED. HOMEISUSH SALES RESUMED. Received 23, 0.25 p.m; Sydney, February 2? Cabinet has discussed the strike position. At the conclusion of the Melting, Mr. EsteH stated he had placed before his colleagues proposals for a certain course of action. It was deefded that further investigations should »e ma<lc before anything was done. Mr. Estell declined to state the nature of the proposals, but it is rumored that information is being gathered with a view to action against employers ,tnder the Coercion Act. Probably definJe action will stand over until Mr. Hainan's return. Otherwise the situation shows little change. Beth sides hf.d meetings to-day, but apparently are marking time until Government action is revealed.

One development is the removal of the embargo on skins, hides and sto:k /tilled by the master butchers. The step was taken in view of the fact th.it large numbers of fellmongers' employees had been working short time fjr months, and the non-removal of tae ianbargo would menu 300 unemployed. Though there was a big crowd of interested spectators at the Homebush stock sales, the offerings were small, the only buyers being suburban and country butchers, the ck-y slaughtermen entirely holding off. Prices were up to 2s (id dearer. Bacon, eggs, and cheese were in strong request, and supplies are below the demand, Bacon lias advanced another penny. .Small goods are all in short supply, and Victorian and Queensland markets are being called on.

STRIKER COMMITS SUICIDE. ANOTHER DROWNED. Received 23, 10.40 p.m. Sydney, February 24. An out-of-work butcher named Herbert Creamer fatally cut his throat. Another striker named Perry, while fishing, was washed of!' the rocks and drowned.

MANY WRECKS. GALLANT LIFEBOAT RESCUES. Received 2.1 11.35 p.m. London, February 23. There has been a tempestuous weekend over the entire British coast, with many wreck?. Lifeboats and rockets saved 50 lives.

I'OKSIIII.K I'HOSKCI'TIONS. Received 2-1. 12/20 a.m. Sydney, February 23. It is announced that Mr. Estell and the Attorney-(!eneral are conducting strike inquiries with a view to possible prosecutions. The result will be placed before the full Cabinet when Mr. llolman returns to-morrow.