STRIKE CONTINUES

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 113, 6 February 1936, Page 9

STRIKE CONTINUES

10,000 Idle at Smithfield ,

PEACEFUL PICKETING (Press Assn. Qable and British Official Wireless.) t (Received February 5, 5.5 p.m.) London, February 4.. The Smithfield markets strike committee Claims that the men employed in the cold stores on the wharves have declared themselves unwilling to handle meat. The decision does not affect butter and other perishable goods. The men claim that it is of no use pursuing talks which have proceeded fruitlessly for eight months. “Most of the employers sympathise witli us,.and we won’t be intimidated bv others,” they state.

So far the strike has not affected prices of Australian and New Zealand meat’in the provinces. Australian and New Zealand meat circles anticipate an early settlement.

The effects of the strike arc being felt in Southampton, where it has been decided to leave 1400 tons of Argentine chilled meat .aboard the Aleantra, which arrived on February 3. The employers state that the supplies of meat at Smithfield are ample for some days. Prices are not expected to rise, but it is generally believed that retail supplies will decrease after Thursday. Smithfield was again peacefully picketed all night long. Under police protection, retail butchers early this morning collected meat supplies direct from London railway stations.

It Is estimated that 10.000 men are involved. A number of meetings were held yesterday,, negotiations having been brought about at the request of the Ministry of Labour. Three unions are concerned in the .M.rikg. which is being conducted without disorder.