THE BUTCHERS' STRIKE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXV, Issue 10713, 25 February 1914, Page 5

THE BUTCHERS' STRIKE.

CABLE_ NEWS (United Prut Association — By \Eltttrie TsUgraph — Copyright).)

PROTRACTED SITTING OF CABINET.

SEKIOUS POSITION IN SYDNEY

(Received Last Night, 7 o'clock.) SYDNEY, February 24.

Immediately on the lauding of the Hon. VV. A. Holman, Premier, on his return from New Zealand, he joined a full Cabinet, which discussed the strike and remained in session for the greater part of the day. For several days past plain-clothes constables have been making inquiries regarding the master butchers' sources of supply of meat, their methods of distribution, the prices charged, and other matters. Tho result of these inquiries was placed before 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 is falling far short of the demand, and many households have been without meat for a week, excepting for what levies upon their fowfya-rds have yielded. Increasing quantities of meat are being obtained privately from the country. The stress in North Sydney has been relieved by outside slaughtermen providing a limited supply of the meat sold for London. The sales will be continued daily and larger consignments are promised. At Paddington a pork butcher broke away and stocked his shop with mutton. He did a roaring trade, but eventually the inspectors threatened him with prosecution on the ground that his premises were not licensed as a butcher's shop.

MR ESTELL AND THE EMPLOYERS, - x LEGAL COURSE IS NECESSARY. (Received February 24, 9.55 a.m.) SYDNEY, February 24. The employers, in a letter in reply to Mr Estell (Minister for ask that those who have broken the law be prosecuted. He thinks a legal course is necessary to instil into employees honesty . with regard to contractual relations. The policy to be adopted is one for tho Government to settle, and the sooner it is decided and enforced, or, in the alternative, the Act'repealed, the better it will be for everybody concerned.

Yesterday'* meat supply was inadequate, although the output was the largest since" the masters commenced killing. Three additional depots were op<en to-day. • _ The Strike Committee has decided that work be continued in the meat preserving industries. The Labour Federation is opposed to a general strike. To-day's meeting of the Employers' Committee will discuss the question of accepting the. offers received of free labour and die calling on volunteer unpaid labour ,so as to place the industry,on the old footing. Unionists have informed the Government that the employers have entered into'a conspiracy with intent to restrain trade. ACTION OF~WHARF-LABOURERS REFUSE TO HANDLE FROZEN MEAT. Received This Morning, 12.30 o'clock. • SYDNEY, February 24. The wharf labourers, without consulting the Union, have decided not to handle frozen meat or rabbits while the butchers' strike continues.