MUNITION WORKERS

Greymouth Evening Star, 14 May 1917, Page 5

MUNITION WORKERS

A QOVIRNMENT NOTICE. STRIKES MUST CEASE. LONDON, May 12. The Covernmeiit has* exhibited til th cent res, affected by strikes the following notice: ''The serious i»to.jpage of work by the engineers engaged in vital munitions, occurred at a moment when, in view of the present offensive on all fronts, there is* greater need of all munitions than at any previous time. The strike i;v allegedly a protest partly for the abolition of trade cards, and partly for a Munitions Amendment Bill and continues despite full explanations of the effect of these measures, and despite the fact that it has, been condemned fiftv trade unions in the engineering nod shipbuilding trades.

"The strike is, therefore, clearly a s much a protest against the executive authority of , the trade unions as against the Government's action. This is fully confirmed by telegrams from the strike leaders in the Manchester area, stating that the joint Engineering, Shop, aind Stewards-' Committee repudiates any interference by the official executive of the workers in the present dispute. "The Government cannot permit the strike to continue, and therefore summons all loyal citizens to resume immediately.

"The Government points out that all incitiiHT any atoppage of munition worksi will b<-> guilty under the DefVioe- of the Realm Act. the penalty being penal servitude for life, or a '■"""!' punishment a a may be award ed."