A MORE HOPEFUL OUTLOOK

Evening Post, Volume XCVII, Issue 27, 31 January 1919, Page 7

A MORE HOPEFUL OUTLOOK

POSSIBILITY OF NEGOTIATION

SERIOUS POSITION IN" BELF3ST,

(UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION.— COPYRIOHT.)

(AUSTRALIAN-HEW ZEALAND CABUS ASSOCIATION.) ■ LONDON, 28th January.

One of the officials at the Ministry of Labour stated that in regard to settlement of the strikes the outlook was more hopeful. The trade union executives were making, great efforts to persuade the London strikers to resume. Both employers and men had held meetings to consider the possibility of negotiation. Meanwhile the strike, which hitherto had been confined to docks on the north side of the river, has spread/to the Snrrey side, where three thousand skilled and. unskilled workers have joined the movement. In addition eighteen hundred casuals, in consequence of tire stoppage, were thrown out of employment. Many food and other ships awaiting repairs are held up; others Me sailing although painting and other repairs are not completed. All the Thames-side dry docks and engineering and repair shops are idle. Tlie stoppage has not yet affected the stevedores and general dock wotkers. . There is a better prospect of a settlement at the Clyde. The men- met in order: to consider the making of an overture for negotiations; The Manchester dockers are still out, but negotiations are afoot and a settlement is probable. Eight thousand miners at Kircaldy and other Scottish collieries have resumed after a. week's strike. Six thousand are out in South Wales, and no negotiations have taken place. The Derbyshire miners re» fuse to resume until a full settlement is reached. The Nottinghamshire men have returned to the pits.

Belfast remains a serious etonn centre. Correspdndents describe the situation as little.snort of a reign' of terror. The mob wrecked a large drapery establishment last night because it was using electric light. The polke with batons dispersed tho crowd.