GOVERNMENT PASSIVE IN BUTCHERS' STRIKE

Rotorua Morning Post, Issue 5296, 8 January 1947, Page 5

GOVERNMENT PASSIVE IN BUTCHERS' STRIKE

No Sign of Easing SYDNEY, January 7. There is no sign of Government intervention to end the closure of the Sydney and Newcastle butcher shops, now in its second day. Only 50 of Sydney 's butcher shops were open to-day and, with meat supplies from saleyards and abattoirs diwindling, these may he forced to close down. The employees are seeking an interview with Mr. Chifley, and will ask the Federal Government to take over shops at key points to assure supplies of meat to the public. After conferring- with representatives of the stock, meat an'-d allied trades and delegates of the Meat Industry E-mployees' Union, said the Minister for Labour and Industry, Mr. Hamilton Knight, he was satisfied that supplies of meat, particularly beef, would be made available by the Commonwealtl# Government to any retail butcher who should submit his dema-nd in the ordinary way. Supplies were available yesterday and would 'be to-day. Despite a large supply fish and rabbits yesterday the demand was too great, and. most shops were emptied early. Fortunately fish stocks continue to mouai't. A consignnient of Tasmanlan shark fillets arrived yestei^lay and will be on sale to-day.