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Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 24, 5 March 1914, Page 6

Latest information to hand concerning the meat strike in Sydney makesit clear "that the employers are in no mood for compromise... Once involved in the trouble they have drawn a line, beyond which they will not go. The Minister of Labour induced the men to agree to a reduction of their original demands,- but he has found the employers adamant in their refusal to entertain the modified terms. Negotiations, so. far as the pasters a,re concerned, are off, and the ; state of affairs must be causing .Mr Holman and his colleagues a distracting anxiety, although they profess to be confident, that the . end .is in sight. The.. employees wish to discontinue the depot system," and want to re-open the shops, doing: their own killing and carting. The Leader of-the Opposition, urges the prosecution of the men for breaches of .the Arbitration Act, and the Premier retorts' that ,if information as to breaches were given then the Government would prosecute. He added that if • the masters got men to work the Government would protect the men. Already five thousand farmers and their sons have volunteered to fill the breach., The outcome will be interesting, It looks as though Mr Holman will soon be fightihg for' his pdlitieal existence: The Act has been flouted flagrantly, and the employers, "who iarfe'iorced to accept; the Act whether they like it or hot, are: going to. see.that what is sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander. If the Labour Premjer had as r OT|&h faith in the Would har ; dly have, "spent so much time in parleying. _ The inexorable attitude of the inasters will .tend to drive him int6 : a ; .corner,, and once he affords protection y f or the Volunteers the? .. jM.. Zealand Government did —thjei he. itji Hkely toj incur , the • antagonism of thousands of ! th<e, class which put .him his party where it is to-day. - The worm has .turned, . eihployers have made up their min<l■ not to. except jipon their! QWP termsj and it remains for Mr Holman, .with all; his astuteness, to avbid lasting trouble, ,He is in, the shoal waters, and" it will require his most skilful' steering to clear the rocks.