SYDNEY MEAT STRIKE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 3574, 25 February 1914, Page 5

SYDNEY MEAT STRIKE.

EMPLOYERS’ LETTER TO MR

ESTELL.

DEMAND FOll PROSECUTION OF STRIKERS.

(united press association—COPT right] SYDNEY, Feb. 24. The employers’ letter, m reply to Mr Estell, asks that those who have broken the law be prosecuted, and says a legal course is necessary to instil into employees a sense of honesty in regard ti> contractual relations. The policy to be adopted is one for the Government to settle, and the sooner it is decided to enforce the law or the alternative to have the Act repealed the better for everyone concerned. Yesterday’s meat supply was inadequate, although the output was the largest since the masters commenced killing. Three additional depots were open to-day. The Strike Committe has decided that work be continued in the meat preserving industries. The Labor Federation is opposed to a goneral strike. To-dayCs meeting of the Employers’ Committee will discuss the question of accepting offers received of free labor and calling for volunteer unpaid labor, so as to place the industry on the old footing. Unionists informed the Government that the employers had entered into a conspiracy with intent to restrain trade.

(Received February 24, 7 p.m.) Imediately on landing Mr Holman joined the full Cabinet m a discussion of the strike, and the meeting remained in session for the greater part of the day. For several days plain clothes constables have been making inquiries regarding the master butchers’ sources of supply of meat, the methods of distribution, prices and other matters. The result will be placed before the Cabinet.

The Industrial Registrar has also interviewed members of the Men’s Council.

The people are getting restive at the protracted meat hunger, the master butchers’ supply falling far short of the demand.

Many households have meat less than once a week, excepting what levies on fowl yards have yielded. Increasing" quantities of meat are being obtained privately from the country.

The "stress in North Sydney was relieved by the outside slaughtermen providing a limited supply of meat intendeded to be sold in London.

The sales continue daily and larger eonisgnments are promised. At Paddington a pork butcher broke away and stocked his shop with mutton and did a roaring trade. Eventually inspectors threatened a prosecution on the ground that he was not licensed to conduct a butchers’ shop. At the conclusion of the Cabinet meeting Mr Holman announced that he was not in a positon to make an wannouncement as to what decisions were reached, nor to give any indication of the Government’s proposals ex-spec-ting a settlement of the strike. The wharf laborers, without consulting; the Union, decided not to handle frozen meat and rabbits while the butchers’ strike continues.