BAKERS' STRIKE.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 242, 6 July 1908, Page 7

BAKERS' STRIKE.

PEACEMAKERS AT WORK. AN IMPORTANT CONFERENCE. INCREASING OUTPUT OF BREAD. "Firmer, if possible, than before" is tho professed attitude- of both parties to tho bakers' dispute. The bakers who are supplying bread were under an unusual responsibility on Saturday—for the first time since the strike bogan, it was necessary to supply a two-days' provision for the city. This was a severe trial of their resources, but* Mr. H. F. Allen,' secretary of the Master Bakers' Union, states that the demand was fairly satisfactorily met.' Mr. Tonks : has found a foreman, and will commence baking to-day. As lie has several ovens, the output of Ilia bakehouso will materially increase tho. supply. Mr. W. A. Kellow will have another second hand to-day, and ho professes to be well .satisfied with tho .aspect matters are 'assuming. During threo days; last, week his ovens gave a total output of 5000 loaves. From to-day he is confident of beinfe able to supply all his own customers, besides assisting fellow tradesmen, whoso supply ia short. "As far as wo are concerned; tho strike is over," said Mr. Kellow" yesterday. "It is just a case of operatives' being out of .work." Mr. H. F. Allen stated that in a very few days the master bakers would be able to turn' out the normal supply of bread: daily! A CONFERENCE. CHANCES OF A SETTLEMENT. On Saturday afternoon tho fact leaked out that an attempt had been made by independent persons to inaugurate overtures between the parties, with a view to effecting, if possible, an amicable settlement of tho dispute. The Mayor, (the Hon. T. "W.. Hislopj, finding a Dominion representative already largely • seized of the facts, explained that an informal discussion had taken place ! between'representatives of the .strikors and . employers, and Mr. E. Tregear, Secretary* of the Labour Department, and himself. "The conference," said Mr. Hislop, "was quite an informal affair. I saw Mr. W. A. Kellow, president of the Master Bakers' Union, on .Friday afternoon, and I asked him to see me again liext day.' This was agreed to, and Mr.- Tregear' came to talk over matters with me, and 'it was arranged that lie should com'o too. We went to Mr. Kellow's bakehouse,-and had a conversation with Mr. Allen and Mr. Kellow, when it •was suggested that three members of tho Bakers' Operatives' Union, not officers, should- talk the .matter over with three of the employers, not officials, in an informal way, so as to bring' new minds .into the matter. We telephoned' to the- Trades Hall, and found that the. men - were quite open to fall in with this arrangement,' and threeof them accordingly: came up. .It was not'" possible at : first to -get' three mombers of the Master Bakers' Union . not connected with tho executive, but ultimately they' : were found. The points at issue were ' calmly ' discussed, and it was arranged that Mr. Kellow should call a''meeting of the Masters'. . Union and place tho matter before them for • consideration as to whether they should appoint throe members to meet three of the other side. ( The interview.-lasted over two hours, and the matter Was discussed quietly and; fairly fully. Mr. Allen was-present at the beginning, but be retired, as he was an official. Good. feeling was J displayed by both sides, and everything was discussed in a friendly way. " There was a difference of opinion, •of course, upon certain matters, but- I should say that if the same spirit iB evinced at tho conference (if it takes place), " there should not be much difficulty ia arranging a 1 sottloment."

STRIKE MONEY. ? PREPARING FOR YEARS. On visiting tho headquarters of the strikers at tho Trades' Hall yesterday afternoon, a representative of The Dominion found tho men enjoying a gramaphono concert. "Wo are just doing, this to keep them together," explained an officer of the Union. It was not certain if the object was to drive away dull- caro, " to' keep the men from thinking, and, perhaps, taking .individual action, ..which would hot be pleasing ,to the official body, or ■ to protect them from tho counsel of their wives and others. However, tho men seemed satisfied, and as they are now receiving the Union's "strike' money" 'instead of wages, they could hardly ; murmur yet at its restraint. . •

An official stated tho strike money .which the men aro getting from the Union's funds is almost equivalent in "amount to their past wages; : "We .have been preparing three years for this,!';he declared.

k A very shrunken, sodden " cottage" loaf, whoso upper story; had refused to raise its head, .was pointed to-with much derision. Apparently was not only misshapen and - misbegotten, but its very origin—shameful : under any circumstances—was the subject of some uncertainty. On this ..visit the . re- : porter was told that it was the product' of " blackleg " \ labour; another time it was shown' to liiiii' as. the work,, of' a master baker, who. had boasted that, in twenty-four hours lie could teach any wharf lumper to make ■ bread.' An intention was .expressed to hold up this poor,, loaf , to scorn m a shop window. '