MUNITIONS

Nelson Evening Mail, 14 May 1917, Page 5

MUNITIONS

I PROCLAMATION TO' STRIKERS. j MEN ORDERED TO -RESUME. ! and N.Z. Cable Association.) j LONDON, May 12. j ■ The Government have exhibited in ■ centres affected by strikes the following notice : "A serious stoppage of work by engineers .engaged upon 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 is, alleged to be a • protest partly against the Munitions Amendment Bill. It continues, despite full explanations of the. effect of these measures, and despite its being completely unauthox'ised and condemned by 50 trade- unions in the engineering and shipbuilding trades. The strike, therefore," "is clearly as,.'muchVa protest against the executive authority of -.tradeunions 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 strike commiUee repudiates any intex-ference by official executives ,of workers ,in the present dispute- T/he Government 'cannot permit the- strike to continue . T*ney'therefore summon - all. loyal citizens to resume work immedi- r ately, and point out that all inciting any stoppage of munition work are guilty under the Defence of the Realm Act, the' penalty being penal. Servitude for life or such lesser punishment.."as'. ma"y be awarded." J .. STRIKE, SPRE AD INO. r . • : j (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) (Rec. May 14, 10.20 a.m.\ . LONDON.- May 13. 1 Some papers' allege that there is a i secret associatioji shop standard _ ;.controlling "the 'engineers' stride, ' which ~ is spreading. No officials are assuming responsibility .for the 'strike'. -i'' .More shops have joined. Trade cards have: been abolished according to the-request ">f the . unions, owing tp the unfairness j'-of exemptions. ■ ' -"' , : . ■ ■''» ■&* ■'." ' SERIOUS TROUHLB THREATENED... -'{Rec. iMayi 1< ; 11.45 a.m.) "" ■'■-" •"" LONDON, May 13. \ The. Northern bounties. -Weawerß'- Society has"^instructed 200,000' members to cease" work on the: 26th if the cotton manufacturers do not concede 20 -per cent, increase in wages. ; The strike.will affect' 800 mills.' . , ■;','-, •-■■.-• , •SERIOUSNESS"'OP STRIKE EX- j ■'"*'." ..:- ..,_;.- PLAINED. ••■ ~. , . " i: ' {Rec. ; 'May 14, 12.30 pirn.) ~ LONDON.; May 13. i The Minister of Munitions states'that y 'officials in various* unions opine that the men should, resume on and await an" accurate ; explanation of the circumstances.,.. _..-'••..,'*.'.'„•' .',', .'..-' '.-'_ . The Minister emphasises'tKat supplies i of aircraft, Heavy"guns > howitzers, tanks. and other: materials;will' be seriously da-!! layed the present illegal action. It will, -.also impede the Western offensive, and numberless lives 'will he sarily sacrificed. . . -,.- : . -,. ;<,".'