AN OMINOUS OUTLOOK.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume 1, Issue 8, 14 February 1914, Page 7

AN OMINOUS OUTLOOK.

THE BUTCHERS' STRIKE. TROUBLE MAY SPREAD. EACH SIDE DETERMINED. EMPLOYERS' FIRM STAND. By Cable. — Press Association. — Copyright. SYDNEY, February 13. The strike outlook is ominous. An interview between the Minister of Labour and representatives of both sides failed to find a solution. Both sides, apparently, are determined. There is a probability of other trades being involved unless the deadlock is quickly removed. It is understood that both sides have received promises of support. . The Labour Council, for the present at any rate, will not intervene, as the Meat Employees' Union is an unaffiliated Union, and has not, so far asked supports. "UNITED RESISTANCE." AN IMPORTANT DECLARATION. A meeting of the executive of the Employers' Federation discussed the industrial position and decided that the time had dome for united resistance to the continual increasing of wages and shortening of hours, and issued an important official declaration. After reviewing "lazy" and other strikes and the flouting of awards, it

says:—■ , "The failure of industrial legislation as a preventive of strikes was never more clearly demonstrated than at present. Unions are endeavouring by means of sectional demands to secure wages and working conditions, which, if granted to all grades of , workers, ( would cripple industrial find commercial progress, and greatly increase the cost of living. "The'principle, or want of principle, on which an industrial award is based - encourages unions to come forward individually to secure continual increases in wages and lessening hours. Industrial Courts and Wages Boards, apparently, fail to consider the effects of awards on industrial conditions as a whole. Every concession secured by one union is used asm lever to secure advantages by other groups which probably otherwise would have no chance of substantiating their claims. An increase of pay to one section of an industry may not be a serious handicap to the industry, but when it is multiplied many times it is obvious that we are travelling in a vicious circle. "The Federation has reached the conclusion that the time has arrived to show, united resistance in the interests, of the general public, who afterall have v to bear the burden." LESSON FROM NEW ZEALAND. The general impression is that there is mote in'the employers' attitude than actually appears on-4he surface. The frequent references at the employers' meetings to the New Zealand and South African strikes indicate that conclusions have been drawn from them, and that if pushed further they, would not ". decline to fight to a finish along the whole line. Since the breaking of the New Zealand strike there has been a movement by Australian employers in the direction of unity in resisting the employees' constant demands for higher wages and shortened hours. The wharfmen's '' lazy'-' strike and the butchers' trouble have added a strong impetus to the movement. * LI3HT OF COMPROMISE. Following the Employers' Federation ukase, a Conference to-day of pastoralifis and farmers' associations and all trades directly or, indirectly allied to

the meat industry, decided to unite in firmly resisting tbo butchering employees ' demands.

The Conference resolved to withdraw the recent offer made by the retail butchers and declined by the Butchers' Union and appointed a permanent committee to deal with the disputes. v The speeches indicated that the employers had reached the limit of compromise. The committee subsequently appointed representatives to meet the Minister of Labour and also "decided to supply hospitals and other Government institutions with meat. Anyone holding stocks of meat in cold storage was asked to place them at the committee's disposal. When the men attended at the Glebe Island abattoirs to-day, it was found that, with the exception of one or two establishments, all work had ceased. Hundreds of men are thrown idle. They claim that this constitutes a lock-out. A PROTRACTED STRUGGLE.

MEDIATION FAILS.

(Received February 14, 9.55 a.m.) SYDNEY, February 14.

At the conference between the Minister of Labour and the employers, Mr Estell, after difficulty, succeeded in obtaining the consent of the employers to renew the offer to the men previously withdrawn, believing that a settlement could be effected. This, however, the Grand Council of the Union rejected, and negotiations are now closed in so far as the Department of Labour and Industry*is concerned. There is every indication of a protracted struggle. NO BACKING DOWN. When the meeting of the Master Butchers' Association heard the decision of the union to "turn down" the employers' offer, they unanimously decided not to back down, but to fight it out. The Chairman saicl the on.is of the whole trouble now'rested with the men, and any move towards a settlement must come from them. A MEATLESS CITY. \ After to-day no meat will be procurable. A}l the shops will be closed, and any meat left over will be to charitable institutions. On Monday there will be no meat whatever, and the whole trade will be disorganised, including the export. The : pold stores have supplied aarcases intended for export, which are now put on the local market. Only the pig and calf section Of the slaughter yards was working yesterday, and the surplus cattle have been turned out to grass. rARMERS~WILL WORK. Following New Zealand's lead the farmers are willing to come to Sydney as strike breakers if necessary. The Workers' Union and.the Labour Federation have decided to stand by' the men. The secretary Of the latter body suggests that the Government should order the sale of stock in the public interests for distribution. The price of canned sheep's-tongues has already advanced, and the stocks of dairy produce are very light, and any extra demand will send prices up rapidly.