A Serious Situation

Manawatu Times, Volume XL, Issue 13947, 27 July 1918, Page 5

A Serious Situation

HUNDREDS OP THOUSANDS OUT. [Auet. and N.Z. Cable Association.] LONDON, July 25. Sixty thousand men in the Birmingham area left work to-night, and are determined not to return until the skilled labour embargo is withdrawn or suspended pending negotiations. The Birmingham strikers include the electrical workers, and consequently many arc unable to -vfork owing to the lack of current. It is estimated that 150.000 workers are affected in the Birmingham area. The .factories in Coventry continue open, although they are disorganised by the withdrawal of 16.000 workers. A mass meeting at Barrow decided to abide by the decision of the National Conference, N The Nottingham engineers advise the men to remain at work, but the District Engineers’ Executive is not satisfied as to the necessity of the embargo, and is calling a mass meeting to consider the position. It is understood that the Government, has decided that men who decline to work must join the army. The Woolwish engineers sent. a message to the Coventry strikers, telling them that they, will earn the blessing of the Kaiser and his army of murderers. WORKERS OPPOSING STRIKE. [Aust. and N.Z. Cable Association.] (Received Friday, 11.17 p.m.) LONDON, July 25. It is estimated that 20 per cent, af the munition -workers in the Birmingham district have been rendered idle, including many unskilled and semiskilled workers who are turned out of work owing to the strike. Some of the biggest munition establishments, however, have maintained their night shifts, despite the defections, as a considerable body of the workers strongly oppose the strike. The * ‘ Black Country ’ ’ workmen are coming out and the position is thus becoming more serious. Mr Winston Churchill and Mr G. N. Barnes are privately conferring with the Trades Unions’ Advisory Committee this afternoon.