SYDNEY BUTCHERS' STRIKE.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 14219, 17 February 1914, Page 5

SYDNEY BUTCHERS' STRIKE.

MEAT “OFF.” Press Association—Telegraph— Copyright SYDNEY, February 16. The promised meat supply was not forthcoming. No men arrived at the Glebe abattoirs, claiming (hat. they were not regularly notified and that there was work for them. The shops were consequently closed. The supposed cold storage reserves are said to be imaginary. Most have been sold to overseas purchasers, and are not available for local consumption. The Union propotos to purchase for slaughtering ana to open shops to retail the meat in order to relievo the public need.

ALLEGATIONS AGAINST THE EMPLOYERS. SYDNEY, February 16. Mr Purse alleges that the masters have brought pressure to bear upon meu with whom the Union made arrangements to slaughter at Glebe. One man slopped after killing two beasts. It would thus be seen that the combine of masters was preventing tbe public from getting meat. The men in their owir ranks wore willing to slaughter, but the employers would not let' them. A RUN ON FISH. SYDNEY, February 16. Three thousand arc at present affected by the butchers' strike. Unless a speedy fettlement is made, it is estimated that 15,000 will be out in two days. Arrangements have been made to supply hospitals and Government institutions by the Master Hatchers’ Association. There is a great demand for dairy produce and fish. In uomc cases prices have advanced. THE ABATTOIRS CLOSED. 'MELBOURNE, February 16. The slaughtermen at the city abattoirs ceased work to-day. The men refused k) clean the pens after killing. The employers also refused to do the work. The City Council intervened and closed tbe abattoirs. One thousand men and two hundred employers are unemployed. The city is faced with a meat famine.

RESOLUTIONS BY THE MASTERS. SYDNEY, February 16. Three resolutions'were submitted to Mr Estell by the masters:—(l) That, in the event of the Union men not responding to the requisition to start work, no attempt to commence killing he made at present with free labour; (2) that the retail masters be informed that the committee is arranging to supply frozen meat to the trade, and the retail butchers must devise the hett means of distributing it to the public; (3) that it ifi desirable that no stock be slaughtered for export while the public of Sydney are without supplThe resolutions were conveyed to u meeting of men. MEN REJECT EMPLOYERS’ TERMS, Received February 17. 9.20 a.in. SYDNEY, February 17.. A mass meeting of strikers unanimously decided to reject the employers’ proposals, made through the Minister ot Labour. They explained that they would have been prepared to favourably consider resumption on their own terms, leaving the subsequent decision to the court. The strike therefore goes on. DECISION OF MASTER BUTCHERS. Received February 17, 10.45 a.m. SYDNEY. February 17. The master butchers have decided that their shops shall bo closed to-day, but one in each of the suburbs opened tomorrow. Received February 17th, 9.40 a.m. , SYDNEY, February 17. Selling agents offer stock at Homebush to-day, but as the men have decided to continue the strike, there is small chance of much buying.