FIRM WITH STRIKERS

Manawatu Times, Volume XL, Issue 13948, 29 July 1918, Page 5

FIRM WITH STRIKERS

Lloyd George Speaks MUST EITHER WORK OR FIGHT. [Aust.-N.Z. Cable Assn. Copyright.] (Received Sunday, 7.5 p.m.LONDON, July 26. The Press Bureau states: Lloyd George announces on behalf of the Government: “Certain munition workers, disregarding their duly accredited leaders, have ceased work, not in pursuance of a trade dispute, but in an endeavour to force the Government to change the natonal policy essential to the prosecution of the war. Whilst millions of their fellow-countrymen are hourly facing danger and death for their country, the men now on strike hav e been granted exemption only because their services are considered of more value in the workshops than in the army. It is now necessary to declare that all wilfully absent from their work on the 29th of July will be deemed to be voluntarily placing themselves outside of the munitions’ industries, and their protection certificates will cease from that date and they will be liable to the provisions of the Military Service Act. ” (Received Sunday, 7.5 p.m.) LONDON, July 26. Latest investigations at Birmingham show that yesterday’s estimates of tho strikers were greatly exaggerated. Probably not more than 20,000 are striking and there is little sympathy with the strikers. The majority of tho firms have large stocks of tools and guages, so they arc not forced to stop.