SYDNEY STRIKE.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 144328, 17 February 1914, Page 3

SYDNEY STRIKE.

NO SUPPLY OF 'WHEAT. TROUBLE SPREADING TO MELBOURNE. BT ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH. —COPYRIGHT. SYDNEY, Feb. 16. The promised moat supply is not forthcoming- No men bavo arrived at tho Glebe Abattoirs, as the men claim that they were not regularly notified that there was work for them. The shops are consequently closed. Tho supposed cold storage reserves are said to be imaginary. They have been mostly sold to oversea purchasers, and are thus unavailable for local consumption. The union proposes to purchase cattle, slaughter them, and open the shops to retail the meat to relieve the public need. Mr. Furse alleges that the masters brought pressure to bear upon the men with whom the union had made arrangements to slaughter at Glebe. One man was stopped after killing two Leasts. It would thus bo seen that the combine of masters was preventing the public from getting meat. Tho men in their own ranks were nulling to slaughter, but tho employers would not Jot them. Three thousand are at present affected by the butchers’ strike, and unless a speedy settlement is made it is estimated that 15,000 men will be out of work in two days. Arrangements have been made to supply the hospitals and Government institutions by tho Masters’ Association. There is a great demand for dairy produce and fish, and in some cases prices have advanced. Three resolutions have been submitted to Mr. Estell by the masters:— ’That in tho event of the union men not responding to tho requisition to start work, no attempt to commence killing will bo mado at present with free labour ; that retail masters be informed that the committee is arranging for tho supply of frozen meat to the trade, and tho retail butchers must devise the best means of distributing to tho public; that it is desirable that no stock be slaughtered for export while the ■public of Sydney is without supplies. 'The resolutions were conveyed to a meeting of tho men. MELBOURNE, Feb. 16. Tho slaughtermen ot the city abattoirs ceased work to-day, The men refused to clean tho pens after killing, and tho employers also refused to do tho work. Tho City Council intervened. By closing the abattoirs 1000 men and 200 employers will be inoperative. The city is faced with a meat famine. EMPLOYERS’ TERMS REJECTED. (Received Fbb. 17, 9.35 a.m.) SYDNEY, Feb. 17. A mass meeting of strikers unanimously decided to reject the employers' proposals mode through the Minister of Labour. It was explained that they would have been prepared favourably to consider resumption on their own terms, leaving the subsequent decision to the court. Tho strike therefore goes on. A COMPLETE DEADLOCK. ATTEMPT TO SELL STOCK TO-DAY. (Received Feb. 17, 9.40 a.m.) SYDNEY, Feb. 17. Selling agents will offer stock at Homobush to-day, but as tho men have decided to.continue the strike there is small chance of much buying on behalf of tho slaughtermen. Representatives of the Butchers’ Union will attend the sales and bid, a resolution haying been carried empowering the committee thus to use tho union funds. An application will bo mado for slaughtering space at Glebe Island. Tho general secretary of the Australian Workers’ Union says the Government ought to see that it is granted. Tho Minister of Works informed the union representatives that so long as they break the law by striking they will not be allowed to use the machinery of tho Industrial Arbitration Act. Tliey have 180 cases pending against the employers, which may be delayed by the disqualification ot the union, in proportion to the period during which the illegal attitude is maintained. Tho employees at Riverstone Meat Works will strike in sympathy with tho Glebe Island men. Tho position is at a deadlock, and nothing can bo done until the Government takes further action. Representatives of tho Employers’ Committee will interview the Minister to-day arid attempt to roach a solution. A compulsory conference has been convened in Melbourne, because of the trouble there. Three Sydney executive officers have been summoned to attend. An official of tho union states that if they succeed in purchasing stock at Homo bush to-day aud killing space at Globe Island is granted; meat will bo available in the metropolitan area tomorrow. If the project is blocked a regular meat famine is certain, through no fault of tho men. A number of unions affiliated to the Labour Council haying now directly or indirectly become involved, the council •to-night will probably consider the' question of intervention. Unless a settlement is reached within a day or two the closing of many tanneries, boiling-down and kindred works is certain, rendering thousands idle. The Newcastle butchers hare decided to continue working and to afford financial support to the Sydney men, feeling that the position hero and in Melbourne, iin view of the temper of the two sides, contains all the elements of a big industrial crisis, which will require the most careful handling to avert. SOME MEAT FOR TO-MORROW. (Received Feb. 17, 10,45 a.m.) SYDNEY, Feb. 17. The master butchers decided that the shops should be closed to-day, but that one in each suburb ehonld be opened to-morrow.