COVENT GARDEN STRIKE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19257, 22 August 1924, Page 7

COVENT GARDEN STRIKE

EMPLOYERS REFUSE TO ARBITRATE. ESTABLISHING DIRECT MARKETING. Press Association —By Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON, August 20. As the Covent Garden employers refused to visit the Ministry of Labour to meet the department’s conciliation officials because the men struck without warning, the Transport Workers’ Union has decided to stop the cross-Channel service for fruit and vegetables at midnight to-night. The Covent Garden employers, in their letter refusing to meet the Ministry of Labour’s officials, dwelt on the excellent arrangements that had been made to ensure the supply and distribution of produce. Their secretary to-day revealed a secret to the pressmen. He said that salesmen had been despatched by motor car, train, and aeroplane to establish district centres, to which the growers could send their produce. He ridiculed the threat to hold up the cross-Channel supplies, as these were very small at present. Furthermore, the farmers were dealing with the London retailers direct.—Reuter. THE STRIKE EXTENDS. MEN DESIRE TO MEET EMPLOYERS. LONDON, August 20. (Received August 21, at 5.5 p.m.) The Covent Garden strike has grown worse, and the Stratford and Spittalfields borough markets are now involved. Mr Bcvin, the men’s leader, lias written to the employers offering to arrange a meeting.—Reuter.