LABOUR UNREST

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16003, 20 February 1914, Page 5

LABOUR UNREST

SYDNEY BUTCHERS' DISPUTI:

OUTLOOK MORE HOPEFUL.

AN INTERIM AWARD

Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. SYDNEY, February 19. The strike outlooK is more iiopciul. .Mr EstcU's eiloi'U promise lo secure a compromise. As a result of yesterday's negotiations the Minister of Labour propounded a, scheme tor an interim awiU'd, to be signed by both parties, lo be operative until the Industrial Court gives its linding, and stipulating that, whatever wages, are ultimately awarded they shall be retrospective to the beginning of the dispute. Mr Esteli believes that the end is in sight, the men s representatives Having promised to advocate the acceptance oi his scheme at the mass meeting to be held to-night.

Representatives of the committees on both sides have endorsed -Mr Estcll's optimism, each side declaring the position to be at least very promising. IRON WORKERS' STRIKE. AWAITING THE BOARD'S DECISION. SYDNEY', February 19. (Received Feb. 19, at 8.45 p.m.) A mass meeting of ironworkers carried a motion to stand firm and awa/t the Wages Board's decision. The men are prepared to accept any reasonable offer, but they will not resume until the matter of wages is definitely settled. MEAT DEPOTS BESIEGED.

RAPID DISPOSAL OF MEAT. SYDNEY, February 19. The meat depots yesterday were besieged by great crowds, w.ho gathered long belore they were opened. Some women had been waiting for live hours in the hope of securing a supply.

Big stall's of master butchers at each depot were kept busy for two hours attending to the clamorous demands of excited and meat-hungry citizens, many of whom had to be turned away emptyhanded.

At one depot 149 sheep were disposed of in 40 minutes.

To-day three depots are open in the city, and three in the more congested suburbs. PREPARATIONS FOR RELIEF. MASTER BUTCHERS' ACTTON. DISCUSSION OF A COMPROMISE. SYDNEY, February 19. To-day fresh meat will take the place of frozen n.eat. The master butchers have arranged to do the killing themselves this morning, and the carting, distribution, and cutting up will be performed by volunteers, of whom an abundance have offered their services.

The Minister of -Labour has promised the necessary protection, though no trouble is' anticipated.

There are 2500 sheep and some SCO cattle available for a start, and these will go a long way towards relieving the demands of the public, while future supplies of stock are assured.

The Grand Council of the Meat Industry Workers' Union has decided to continue the handling of all frozen meat, with a view to facilitating a settlement.

Meetings on both sides to-day will discuss a compromise, and it is optimistically predicted that normal conditions will be restored bv Saturday.

Meantime a roaring trade is goin"- on in bacon, canned stuffs, and dairy produce.

MEETING OF MASTER BUTCHERS.

SETTLEMENT IN VIEW.

AMENDMENT OF THE ARBITRA TION ACT.

SIDNEY, February 19. (Received Feb. 19, at 8.45 p.m.) Renewed activity was manifested at the Glebe abattoirs to-day, when from 70 to 80 master butchers were slaughtering sheep and cattle. No attempt at interfer'ence was made.

A deputation from the Operative Butchers' Union passed through the pens to see that no non-union hands were employed. The distributing depots were opened, but yesterday's scrambling methods were not in evidence.

At a meeting of the masters to-day there was some discussion as to the proposed terms of settlement. It was thought that the whole question of the meat industry as to conditions and wages would be submitted to arbitration, also the views of both sides regarding hours, but Mr Estell pointed that he intended as early as possible to amend the Arbitration Act so as to bring in an eight hours' da_y wherever it was practicable. Mr Estell suggested an award to be confirmed by the court on the basis of the new arrangement. It is anticipated that there will be a 4°4~ hours week all round, with an increase of 5s per 1 week in wages.

The tribunal is to be constituted imrnediately, and both sides will accept its terms. The union has been given power to amend its claim by seeking a variation in regard to the wages mid hours which were the subject of the original claim.

Mr Estell is confident that the men will accept the proposition at to-night's meeting. The masters have also to communicate their final decision. There seems eveiiy possibility of the men resuming work to-morrow.

TERMS OF SETTLEMENT AGREED TO. INCREASE OF FIVE SHILLINGS. A WEEK. SYDNEY, February 19. (Received Feb. 20, at 0.55 a.m.) 'At a meeting of- butchers it was decided to accept the terms as a fair basis of settlement. The Minister was informed that the effect of the terms would be the resumption of work forthwith on the conditions that the employees should have a flat rate, involving an increase of 5s above the award rates, with hours not exceeding 49£ per week.

POSITION IN MELBOURNE. INCREASE RF.COMMENDED. MELBOURNE, February 19. It is understood that, as a result of the conference between the master butchers and the men, the former have agreed to recommend an all-round increase of 5s per week in wages. The conference reassembles on Monday. COST OF STRIKES. LAST YEAR'S LOSSES. MELBOURNE. February 19. The Commonwealth Statistician (Mr G. 11. Knibbs) estimates that £288,000 was lost in wages in the Commonwealth last year through strikes, representing a total loss in production of £1,250,000.

WHARF LABOURERS TO RESUME WORK. FREMANT'LE, February 19. (Received Feb. 19, at 8.45 p.m.) It Li officially stated that the wharf labourers will resume working overtime as from to-day. NO OVERTIME TO BE WORKED. SYDNEY, February 19. (Received Feb. 20, at 6.55 a.m.) The waterside workers are continuing under the present conditions, with no overtime. BUILDING TRADES' DISPUTE. MASTERS' OFFER ACCEPTED. LONDON, February 19. (Received Fob. 19, at 11.50 p.m.) The Building Trades' Federation has waived its demand that negotiations should be conducted through the federation, and has accepted-the masters' offer to confer with representatives- of the industrial unions. INQUIRY DEMANDED. LONDON, February 19. (Received Feb. 19, at 11.35 p.m.) Sir Richiird Temple presided at a meeting of employers representing all the great industries. Resolutions were passed requesting the Government, in view of the growing menace to personal freedom and industrial peace, to hold an inquiry into the effects of the Trade Disputes Act. The chairman said that the events in Dublin and South Africa had demonstrated the great evils due to treating with laboui unions as bodies especially privileged to do wrong. WELLINGTON TRAMWAYS h DISPUTE. COUNCIL'S PROPOSALS UNSATISFACTORY. (Per United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, February 19. If is understood that the Tramways Union has declined the terms formulated and sanctioned by the City Council as the basis of a working agreement for the next two years between the council and the employees on the city tramways. The union decided instead of accepting the agreement as a basis to work on to refer the dispute to the Conciliation Commissioner, and if necessary to proceed with it further to the Arbitration Court for the purpose of getting an-award.