SYDNEY’S MEAT STRIKE.

West Coast Times, 18 February 1914, Page 3

SYDNEY’S MEAT STRIKE.

AUSTRALIAN.

PROLONGING THE AGONY. ATTITUDE OF THE MEN. IPEB PRESS ASSOCIATION.—COPYRIGHT.] SYDNEY, Feb. IT. At a mass meeting of the strikers it was unanimously decided to reject tli> employers’ proposals, made thicugli the Minister of Labour. It was explained they would have been prepared to favourably consider tho resumption of work on their own terms, leaving tho subsequent decision to the Court. Tho strike, therefore, goes on, ANOTHER SPEAKER IN TROUBLE. ORDERED OUT. SYDNEY, Eeh. 17. Speaker Meagher, in his capacity as a City Alderman, was . ordered to be removed from sitting on the Electric Light Committee of tho City Council, owing to his persistent refusal to obey the Chairman, Alderman Milner. The latter ordered the Lord Mayor’s orderly to escort Mr. Meagher out. Mr Meagher declined the escort, whereupon Mr. Milner told the orderly to call assistance. Before it arrived Mr. Meagher left the building.

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS. BIG INDUSTRIAL CRISIS. SYDNEY, Eeh. 17. The selling agents will offer stock ft Homebnsh to-day, hut as the men have decided to continue the strike, there is small chance of much haying on behalf of tho slaughtermen. Representatives of "Die "Butchers’ Union will attend the sales, and hid, a resolution having been carried empowering the committee to thus use the union funds. Application is to he made for a slaughtering space at Glebe Island. The general secretary of the Australian Workers’ Union, says the Government ought to see that the license is granted. The .Minister of Works has informed the Union representatives that, ,so long as they break the law by striking, they will not bo allowed to use the machinery of the Industrial Arbitration Act. They have 180 cases pending against employers, which may lu clilayed hy a disqualification of the union in proportion to the period during which their illegal attitude is maintained. The employees of the Riverstone Meat Works will strike in sympathy with the Glebe Island men. The position is a deadlock. Nothing can he done until tho Government takes further action. Representatives of the Employers’, Committee will interview the Minister tr-day, and attempt to reach a solution. A compulsory conference has been convened at Melbourne because of the trouble there. Three of the Sydney Executive officers have been summoned to attend. The officials of the Union state that : f they succeed in purchasing stock at the Homebnsh sales to-day, and a killing space at Glebe Island is granted, meat will be available within the metropolitan area to-morrow. It the project is blocked a regular meat famine is certain, through no fault of the men’s. A number of unions affiliated to tho Labour Council, having now directly or indirectly become involved, the Council to-night will probably consider the question of intervention. Unless a settlement is arrived at within a day or two it will mean the closing of many tanneries, boiling down and kindred works, throwing thousands of men idle. Certain Newcastle butchers have decided to continue working so as to be able to afford financial support to tho Sydney men. The feeling is that the position here ana in Melbourne, in view of the temper of the two sides, contains all the elements of a big industrial crisis, which will require most careful handling to avert. The master butchers have decided lo close their shops to-day, but one in each suburb will be opened to-morrow.

MEAT SHORTAGE CONTINUES. SYDNEY, Feb. 17. The meat shortage continued to-day, both sides promising supplies, but none wore forthcoming. A big run on fish, bacon, eggs, and game atlvanced the prices and it is impossible to secure bacon and bams for prompt delivery and future consignments have already been sold. Tbe Onion official-' are busy arranging a supply of fresh meat for to-mor-row. Two representatives had authority to buy stock at Homebush but none was purchased. Tbe sheep eales were small, the caiease butchers staling that it-was no use buying as they were unable to get the stock killed and had nowhere to pm ithem. There is a Cabinet meeting to-day and there i« a probability of Government intervention. Tlie Employees’ Committee denies the Union’s statement that pressure was brought to hear upon individuals wishing to kill stock. There was no interference or intimidation of any kind. TROUBLE SPREADING. ADELAIDE, Feb. 17. The Federal President of the Meat Employees Union considers that the only means of settlinsr the dispute is fertile Judge of the Federal Arbitration Court to grant a compulsory conference. Unless active steps are taken the trouble will spread to South Australia. Every master butcher in the State is being circularised- asking him to conform with the, Federal log wages which the Union hopes will become operative in this State and Victoria.