BUTCHERS’ STRIKE.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXV, Issue 16484, 25 February 1914, Page 9

BUTCHERS’ STRIKE.

THE POSITION IN SYDNEY. EMPLOYERS INSIST ON PROSECUTIONS. By Telegraph—Press Araociation—Copyright. SYDNEY, February 24. The employers’ letter in reply to the Hon J. Estell, Minister of Labour, asks that those who have broken the law should be prosecuted. “A legal course is necessary,” says the letter, “to instil into the employees honesty in regard to contractual relatione. Tho policy to be adopted is one for the Government to settle, and the sooner it is decided and enforced, or, as an alternative, the Act repealed, the better for everybody concerned.”

INADEQUATE MEAT SUPPLY.

MORE DEPOTS TO BE OPENED,

Yesterday’s meat supply was inadequate, although tho output was the largest since the masters commenced killing. Three additional depots will be opened to-day. The strike committee has decided that work will be continued in the meat preserving industries. The Labour Federation is opposed to a general strike. FREE LABOUR SUGGESTED.

TO BE CONSIDERED BY EMPLOYERS.

To-day’s meeting of the employers’ committee will discuss the question of accepting the offers received for free labour, and the question of calling for volunteer unpaid labour, so as to place the industry on its old footing. Unionists have informed the Government that the employers have entered into a conspiracy' with the intent to restrain trade. MR HOLMAN ON THE SCENE. INQUIRIES MADE ON BEHALF OF CABINET. (Received February 24, 7 p.m.) SYDNEY, February 24. Immediately on landing Mr Holman" joined the full Cabinet in discussing the strike. The Cabinet remained in session for the greater part of tho day. For several days plain clothes constables have been making inquiries regarding the master butchers’ sources of supply of meat, methods of distribution, prices and other matters. The result has been placed before the Cabinet. The Industrial Registrar also interviewed members of the men’s council. MEAT HUNGER. SYDNEY PEOPLE BECOMING RESTIVE. LARGER SUPPLIES PROMISED. SYDNEY, February 24. The people are getting restive owing to the protracted meat hunger. The master butchers’ supply is falling far short of the demand. Many households have been without meat for a week, excepting what levies on fowlyards yielded. Increasing quantities' are being obtained privately from the country. The stress in North Sydney has been relieved-, outside slaughtermen providing a limited supply of meat that was to have been sold in London. Sales are continued daily. Larger consignments are promised at Paddington.

A pork butcher, who broke away from the other employers and stocked his shop with mutton, did a roaring trade. Eventually inspectors threatened a prosecution, on the ground that his premises were not licensed as a butcher’s shop.

NO INFORMATION. (Received February 25, 12.30 a.m.) SYDNEY, February 24.

At the conclusion of the Cabinet meeting Mr Holman announced that he was not in a position to make an announcement as to what decisions had been reached nor ‘give any indication of the Government's proposals respecting a settlement of the strike. '

DECISION OF WHARF LABOURERS. SYDNEY, February 24. The wharf labourers, without consulting the Union, decided to handle frozen meat and rabbits while the butchers’ strike continues.