Butchers Are Fed Up With Go-Slow Tactics

Chronicle (Levin), 13 October 1949, Page 5

Butchers Are Fed Up With Go-Slow Tactics

Beceived Wednesdav, 7 p.m. LOXDOX, Oct. 12. The London Retail Heat Traders ' Association, dissatisfied by the results of efforts to end "working to rule" tactics at the Smithfield meat market, have called a mass meeting for Wednesdav night to deeide upon a future '*ou rse of action. Smithfield porters are still persisting in tlieir irritation tactics with the result that the whole of the" London area has not only failed to socure two weeks' special meat bonus but has also received sliort deliveries. of the normal ratiou. The Ministry of Food has given an assurance that when the dispute at Smithfield is settled, extra bonus meat will be distributed but the butchers claim this is unsatisfactory. There are signs that the tediuiu of the go-slow tactics is wearying even the | men themselves and that manv of theni would be glad to settle the dispute and ] return to normal working conditions. i Fear of being classed as " blackle^s.' ' has, however, prevented any breakaway. The situation is intensifying the demand among the publie that steps should be taken to abolish the Smith-j field market altogether and establish a fresli svstem of distribution which will make it impossible for a small body of men to interrupt London 's food sup- j plies. It is pointed out that as a result , of bulk buying, Smithfield has long ceased to fulfil its old function as a market and that it is today simply a central distributing point. The same also applies at the Billingsgate fish market where there have also been frequent disputes.