HOLMAN'S TRUMP CARD.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 9740, 4 March 1914, Page 5

HOLMAN'S TRUMP CARD.

MODIFIED NATIONALISATION OF MEAT INDUSTRY. EMPLOYERS' FIRM STAND. CAUSES CRISIS IN MEAT AND IRON STRIKES. ' (Bt Elictbic Telegbaph—Coptbight.) 19 IPjui Pbess Association.) »■ Received March 4, 10.10 a.m.

SYDNEY, March 4. The Herald states that it has ascertained unofficially that the Government's trump card, in the event of the strike continuing, is to engage in a modified form of nationalisation—not to nationalise the whole industry but to provide killers, killing facilities, and sale depots for those prepared to undertake the sale and distribution of meat.

It is recognised that the employers in the meat and iron trades having'resolved against resumption, excepting unconditionally, a crisis has been reached, and Government action is imperative. Eight thousand five hundred are idle in the iron trades.

A mass meeting of the meat industry employees decided to oontinue the strike on the present lines. MASTERS' ULTIMATUM. ALL NEGOTIATIONS OFF. DEBATE IN THE ASSEMBLY. Received March 4, 9.30 a.m.

SYDNEY, March 4. Tiie master butchers have formally informed the Holman Government that the terms of settlement are not acceptable and all negotiations are off at present so far as they are concerned. It has also decided to! discontinue the depots system from to-mor-row and revert to the ordinary conditions by opening all shops for business. It. is estimated that eighty per cent, of the shops will be selling to-morrow and the balance in a few days. The employers will do their own killing and carting. Employees are invited to apply for reinstatement on terms that will be disclosed on application. In iho Assembly Mr Wade (Leader of the Opposition) made a strong appeal to the Government to uphold the Arbitration Act even to the point of prosecuting the strikers who were flouting the law. It. was the Ministry's duty to see that the food supply was maintained in the public interests. The result of the Ministry's inaction and hollowcry of nationalisation was encouraging the men to break the law and then when the employers were helpless thev told them their businesses would be seized, thus going back to the old bushranging days. Mr Holman, in reply, said the Government were sworn to uphold the law. If the need arose they would do it. Happily no such question had yet arisen and he did not anticipate that it would. Lp to yesterday the Government had fair ground for believing a settlement would be reached. Apparently to-day they would be confronted with the necessity for. doing something to restore the supply of an absolutely necessary commodity. If that were "so they would face the position and immediately take whatever steps were necessary in the supreme interests of the community. If informations of breaches of the law were forthcoming prosecutions would follow. If the masters f, r ot at. the men the Government would protect them, YOU CAN'T BEAT THE FARMER. SURPRISE FOR STRIKERS. SYDNEY, March 4. In connection with the rural workers' strike, a body of unionists raided a farm at W agga, and compelled a number of nonunionists to leave work and march through the town. A strong force of farmers was then enrolled. It visited the unionist's can - delivered the captives, and escorted back to work. THE "LAZY" STRIKE. MELBOURNE, March 4. I nder a protest from the steamship owners against resuming the hearing of the waterside workers' case, while the stevedores refused to fall into line by working overtime, Mr Justice Higgins further adjourned the case till Tuesdav.