A key event in labour relations during the 1930s Great Depression was the demonstration that become known as the 'Beef March'. On 9 January 1931 unemployed workers from Port Adelaide and Adelaide marched to the Treasury Building in Victoria Square to protest the government's cost cutting measure of removing beef from the meat ration provided to the destitute. The protest became violent after a deputation was refused and the police attempted to break up the demonstration with a baton charge.