THE BUTCHERS' STRIKE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXV, Issue 10713, 26 February 1914, Page 5

THE BUTCHERS' STRIKE.

CABLE NEWS (United Prut Aaociation-~-By Electric Telegraph—Copyright).)

NO FRESH DEVELOPMENTS AN INTERESTING EXPERIMENT. (Received Last Night, 9.5 o'clock.) SYDNEY, February 25. 'J'lie Committee appointed by Cabinet, consisting of the Hons. Holman, Estell, and Flowers, to deal with strike matters, is working quietly, but declines to disclose the direction or effect, so far, of its efforts. The Committee conferred twice today with representatives of the men. Outwardly the position is unchanged. Everything i«. quiet, and both sides aro waiting for the Government to move. The .depots were opened early, and closed at 1 o'clock, the employers being determined to run no risks of infringing the statutory halfholiday. One or two more depots were opened, though the supply is still far below the demand.

The management of the depots has greatly improved. The unseemly crushing and crowding lias been largely averted. The commencement of the Lent,"] season is a factor In the slackening demand for meat, and the consequent further lengthening in the price of lish.

Practically perforce without meat for the last fortnight, residents of Sydney are devoting much self-per-suasive argument to the question of whether they are not better without animal food. On present appearances, tliey will be given time in which to reach a decisive conclusion. It is calculated that by the end of tho week the depots will have netted about £2O,(XJO. Some of the master butchers who were compelled to close are reported to be desirous of seeing a division of the profits, which, so far, nas not been made.

Local bacon and smallgoods supplies are practically exhausted. The weekly calf sales to-day wore a failure, only tw"o buyers attending.

A BRIGHTER OUTLOOK. MASTERS INCONPEBBNOE. EARLY DEVELOPMENTS POSSIBLE. (Received Last Night, *9.30 o clock.) SYDNEY, February .£5. " .The"Master butchers are sitting m close conference,- and. are discussing a communication from Cabinet. Early developments are possible. POSITION UNCHANGED. NO SIGN OF SETTLEMENT. .Received This Morning, 1.2.30 o'clock. SYDNEY, February 25. At a late hour to-night Cabinet was in committee. There h nothing to report in reward to the strike settlement-, but a definite move is anticipated to^morThe master butchers' cftmrnittee made a first distributon from the relief fund to small suburban butchei s whoso shops have been closed.