IN THE GRIP OF THE STRIKE.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 103, 5 May 1926, Page 7

IN THE GRIP OF THE STRIKE.

UNPRECEDENTED BUSINESS DISLOCATION. EVERY BUSINESS GRAVELY AFFECTED. (By Cable.—(Press Association.—Copyright.) Received 12.30 p.m. LONDON, this day. The situation so far as the strike is concerned remains unchanged. Both sides are perfecting arrangements to carry on the fight. The debate in the House of Commons on 'Wednesday offers an opportunity to again approach a basis for fresh negotiations. The House of Commons met in quiet mood. No business papers were circulated, and the Speaker appealed to members 'not to submit any written questions because of the difficulty of getting them printed. The chief business of the day was the discussion of Budget resolutions. Mr. Philip Snowden, formerly Chancellor of tlie Exchequer, announced that Labourites would not participate in the present deplorable circumstances, but would content themselves with voting, in divisions, reserving any discussion till the Finance Bill. Mr. David Lloyd George spoke in a similar vein. The mind of Parliament, he said, was concentrated on a matter of grave public importance. Mr. Winston Churchill said there would be a sense of great unreality, if they tried to keep up long debates when their minds were otherwise fully occupied. Full opportunity would be given for discussion at later stages. Consideration would be given to the fact that the Opposition was at present surrendering its opportunities. Divisions were then taken. The betting resolution was agreed to by 252 votes to 122 votes. Resolutions bearing en tiie income tax duty, trade in motor cars, and the exemption of antiques from duty, were also, agreed to, as well as the •afeguarding of key industries for the next ten years. A division was forced on the proposal to transfer seven million pounds to the Exchequer from the road fund, but it was carried by 320 votes to 134 votes. Mr. "Winston Churchill formally introduced the Finance Bill, under which preferences will be debated. . ' *■ The House then adjourned. BLOW TO THE VERY VITALS OF THE COMMUNITY. In the House of Lords, during the debate on the strike, Lord Oxford and Lord Asquith said it was a blow to the very.vitals of the community. It was a sinister and lamentable fact that at a time when we were propagating the doctrine of disarmament we should have at home one of the cruellest and most undiscriminating of all forms of warfare, affecting the great mass of innocent people. He did not see how'any government could refrain from taking up the challenge. It would have unanimous support in an effort to assert the country's paramount interests above all classes.: —(A, and N.Z.) London is completely in the grip of the etrike. It is tramless, and virtually without trains or buses, yet the streets are more congested than ever, due to the utilisation of everything motor-driven, however ancient. Every approach to the city is. jammed by endless lines.of cars and lorries, packed with business people' and shop workers, most of whom are carried gratis. The Strand is at times seemingly an inextricable mass of traffic. By noon two of the railway tubes were running a skeleton service, but so far there are no outer electric services. People who were lucky enough to reach their businesses were faced with the much more difficult problem of getting home at night. So far there has been no disorder, everyone being in the best of humour. His Majesty the King gave audience to Mr. Baldwin, Prime Minister. The Trades Union Congress is holding its meeting behind closed doora. The official broadcast states. that the London milk transport service is working in accordance with the scheme already arranged. The long distance fish and milk trains arrived according to schedule. VOLUNTEER LABOUR FOR TUBES AND BUSES. The London Underground Railway and Omnibus Combine notified that they are endeavouring to operate their various services with voluntary labour. The extent of working will.depend on the number of volunteers. The trunk railways hope to run passenger trains during the daytime. Meantime, reports from the' provinces show that railway services practically do not exist The principal stations at Manchester are , picketed, but one or two trains managed to leave the London termini. Hundreds of railway clerks and men" of the supervisory grades resumed their ordinary duties at Hull, after telegraphing to their executive disapproving of -strike action. r News from the provinces shows the strike is-being observed in industries embraced by the Trades Union Congress Order, but work is proceeding in others, including the Clyde and Sunderland shipyards, Northampton boot factories and Leicester hosiery factories. • .. • . A number of potteries stopped owing to the lack of coaL At Belfast business is being car»£d on as usuaL