GROWING SUPPORT IN PROVINCES

Evening Star, Issue 26000, 15 January 1947, Page 7

GROWING SUPPORT IN PROVINCES

10,000 STRIKERS IN- MERSEYSIDE AND BRISTOL AREAS NO TROOPS YET CALLED IN (N.Z.P.A. Special Correspondent.) (Rec. 9.30 a.m.) LONDON, Jan. 14. Unofficial estimates place the number of men who have joined the London haulage strikers in the provinces at 10,000. \ The strikers are receiving growing support on the Merseyside,' l where the drivers and meat porters at Liverpool abattoirs walked out. Altogether about 1,800 men are involved and over 30 supply firms directly affected. One hundred drivers in the Liverpool cattle markets also' stopped, work. So. far no troops have been brought in on the Merseyside, but the strikers claim that if troops do intervene they are assured that the Liverpool dockers will stop work. In the Manchester district 200 drivers employed by various cartage firms left their trucks, but so far the stoppage has • not assumed serious proportions. Considerable support is also given the London strikers, at Bristol, where 3,000 drivers and their mates refused to work. The roads were picketed, and about 300 lorries' from London are stranded at the port. The strike is also spreading on the Medway, where'about 1,500 men are now reported involved. There has been a series of smaller sympathy strikes in other parts of the provinces, but so far these concern only the drivers. The dispute has not so far spread to the "dockers outside London, but it is considered that there is -grave danger that it may do so.

market. There was a good deal of greeting with mock military salutes. CROSS-SECTION OF OPINION.

Some reported views 'of the general piiblio are:—

The butcher: “ I’m disgusted with the whole business. The men are unscrupulous in endangering London’s food supplies like this.” A widow': “I"don’t think anything short of a strike will get the men what 'they want. I can’t understand whv they can’t get it. I’m glad the Government called in the troops.” A policeman: “ I’m against the strike. The men should get, themselves better conditions in a proper and lawful manner.”

A bus conductor: “ I’m with the men who struck, but striking does no good. The public are long-suffering. We are hurting them by what we do more than anyone.” A soldier: I’m against the Government for bringing us in, but I’m in the Army now.”