UNION SECRETARY'S OPINIONS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLVIII, Issue XLVIII, 16 February 1914, Page 5

UNION SECRETARY'S OPINIONS

"CONSPIRACY OF EMPLOYERS." UNION COULD SUPPLY ARMED MEN. SYDNEY, Feb. 15. The secretary of the Australian Workers' Union declares that there is a conspiracy on the part of the Employers Federation to keep meat from the public. He considers that the Government should step in and control the abattoirs. The Government would be justified in immediately arresting and putting in gaol every member of the co'mmittee appointed by the Employers' Federation. There is a recent precedent for the deportation of the members of this committee. He saj's the Union could jplace 5000 men, .armed if necessary, at the service of .the country to protect the interests of the public and ensure, a food, supply. , T.he master butchers met to-day and approved of the committee's resolution, and decided upon a resumption of -work at Glebe, wifn cattle sold at Homebush. Mr Furse_, secretary of the employees' union, commenting on the employers' proposals, says the men are willing to resume work to-morrow provided the wages and terms asked for are granted.

THE UNION THE SHOPS. (Received 10.40 f a.m.) ' > Sydney; This Day.. The secretary to thexMeat Employees' Union states that, the men's services.were dispensed with by the employers, ;thus creating a lock-out. The Government was 'expected to put -the law in motion. The Union was prepared, to' talce over , those 7shops which employers' secre- ' stated he was prepared to hand over, and if slaughtering space is granted at the Glebe, will,* in the interests of the public, open tlie shops immediately for the sale of meat.

CONCERN IN MELBOURNE

(Received 11.10 a.m.) MELBOURNE, This Day. Recognising the seriousness of the threat of the butchers' employees to ■cease work to-niglit, tlie council of the Federated Employers' Union is considering the question of taking charge' of the dispute .between the- masters and men,, both in Sydney and Melbourne. Representatives of the various States were informed of the danger of a strike. Melbourne "suggested applying, to the Court for a compulsory conference ; ,but it is reported that the Sydney employees did not favour a conference, preferring •to fight without interference.