The Butchers' Strike

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 205, 27 February 1914, Page 5

The Butchers' Strike

AWAITING RESULT OF CONFERENCE. PRESENT POSITION IMPOSSIBLE. By Cable—Press Association—Copyright Sydney, February 26. So far the master butchers have not been approached by the Cabinet committee, but the parties are anxiously awaiting the result of the conference ■with the men, who stale that they are prepared to enter into further negotiations with the masters' grand council. The employees have decided to make an appeal throughout Australia for funds to continue the fight, if necessary. A resolution was carried that no frozen cargo be shipped during the continuance of the trouble. As the result of the strike 160 carcase carters and members of the Draymen's Union are idle. Every effort now seems, being exerted to get the men back to work. If this it not done it is understood a tribunal will be appointed to arbitrate quickly on matters in dispute. Both parties' in the ironworkers trouble are waiting for the ease to come before the court and there is no attempt to negotiate. The delay in bringing the dispute before the court is causing comment on all sides. ■Mr. Estell says there is too much rod tape in the department. He will sec that it docs not occur in future. A meeting of the Wharf Laborers' Union decided to test the vote of last Thursday's mass meeting by a secret ballot on the overtime question, and whether the present attitude shall be maintained, it being contended that the present position is impossible. Members of the Watersiders' Federation have have decided upon a certain policy and the council calls upon the Sydney branch to fall into line. The majority have accepted Mr. Justice Higgins' proposals to resume work, and the majority must rule.

POSITION UNCHANGED, HOMEBUSII SALES LIMITED. MR. HOLMAN'S ADVICE. Received 26, 8.30 p.m. Sydney, February 20. Developments anticipated to-day did not eventuate, and the position, so far as a settlement is concerned, remains un changed or has reached a deadlock. The only announcement vouchsafed by the Cabinet Committee was that nothing waß contemplated to-day. Since, his return from New Zealand, Mr Holman has declined all press interviews, and required inquiries to be made per messengers. Mr Estell departed this afternoon for Wallscnd, to attend a banquet in his honor. Both butchers and strikers' representatives hold frequent meetings, but apparently get no nearer a solution. It is reported that a movement is afoot among the carcase butchers to revert to the slaughtermen's award rates of £4 ss, instead of £0 recently paid. Such a move will prove fatal to the Government's efforts to bring masters and nten together in conference. The men, while confident, declare their willingness to confer.

At the Homebuah sales the offerings were small and the attendance very limited. The only buyers again were suburban and country butcher?. The sup plies at the various'depots are steadily increasing. Another depot has been opened afl Manly. Fish, egss and other dairy produce are more plentiful, and prices have receded somewhat. A number of strikers have departed for Queensland. Received 26, 8.50 p.m. Sydney, February 2fi. It is -understood that Mr Holman has advised the butchers to resume under the old conditions and seelc redress by constitutional means. In the event of acceptance of this advice, work will be immediately resumed. A decision is expected to-night.

It is definitely arranged that Mr Holman will hear the special case of the ironworkers' strike to-morrow. The position in the meantime is unchanged.

UNREST IN ADELAIDE. Adelaide, February 20. A mass meeting # of the Meat Employees' Union expressed dissatisfaction at the hours and present rate of wages and decided to ask for a conference with the employers within forty-eight hours. There are prospects of the trouble spreading.