UPHEAVAL IN BRITAIN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 15003, 27 May 1912, Page 7

UPHEAVAL IN BRITAIN.

THE TRANSPORT DISPUTE.

INTERVIEWS WITH THE KING.

PRODUCE TRADE PARALYSED.

120,000 MEN IDLE.

15} Telegraph.— Association.—Copyright.

(Received May 27. 12.25 a.m.)

London, May. 26. After an interview with the striking dockers, the Home Secretary, Mr. McKenna, had an audience with King George. Sir George Askwith, Board of Trade Conciliator, also saw the King. Mr. Reekie, representing the foremen's society, claimed that Thomas (the man whose status was made the occasion of the dispute) is a trade unionist in every sense of the word. The Daily Chronicle declares that there is no adequate justification for the strike. No question of wages or hours is involved. Thomas was not a non-unionist, but a member of a society of which he was a founder. The strike is both imprudent and unnecessary. Sir Edward Clarke has opened the inquiry. Mr. Gosling stated the strikers' grievances, and added tht,t they were prepared to do their best for the protection of public health and the care of the infirm and children.

The Inquiry Closed. Mr. Gosling asked that counsel be allowed to appear and Sir Edward Clark refused to sanction this. At Mr. Gosling's request Sir Edward Clark then closed the inquiry. Mr. Gosling alleged that Thomas was a tool of the masters. Mr. Lambert, on behalf of the masters, denied this, and .declared that it was desired to break up the union, Thomas being used for that purpose. The masters, he said, were not bound by any agreement to solely employ unionists, but they felt they must strenuously resist the constant attempts being made to upset trade by men. constantly breaking agreements on some pretext or other. Sir Edward Clarke said no succession of strikes would ever compel the non-unionists' masters to obey the unions. He was hopeful, however, that legislation would help greatly to solve industrial difficulties.

Altogether 120,000 transport workers are on strike. Soldiers lor Transport Work. An Army Service Corps is in readi- ■, ness at Aldershot to undertake transport duties in London. /The militant section of the railway men are agitating for a general j strike. Sectional sheetings of railwaymen have declared that they will not handle black-leg goods. Among the vessels held up are five laden with 200,000 carcases of frozen mutton. The strike at Covent Garden is chiefly among foreign fruit porters. ""'"'" ' Deputations of millers and meat importers have appealed to the Home Secretary for protection of their goods. The London and Suburban Traders' Federation and the Meat Retailers' Association have appealed to ' the Government for adequate protection for vans and vehicles to ensure the' distribution of goods and foodstuffs. It is stated that the Dockers' Union at Southampton refuses to unload any vessel diverted from London.

■ STRIKE OF TAILORS. PARTLY SETTLED. (Received Ma? 26, 5.5 fl.m.) London, May 25. The strike of 8000 East End ladies' tailors has been settled. Their wages have been increased by 10 per cent., and their hours shortened. Fifteen thousand tailors continue on strike. WELSH MINERS AND MINIMUM KEIR HARDIE ON NON-COMS. (Received May 26, 5.5 p.m.) London, May 25. The South Wales miners have resolved that their representative on the district board shall continue the negotiations with regard to a minimum wage, under protest. While Mr. Keir Hardie, Labour M.P., was speaking at Portsmouth, the audience protested against his aspersions on the patriotism of noncommissioned officers; LONDON MARKETS RISING. SHIPS CANNOT DISCHARGE. [BY TELEGRAPH.PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Wellington, Saturday. The High Commissioner cables from London under date of May 24 that the market* are paralysed on account of the strike of transport worker a. Prices are rising for anything available, and ships cannot discharge.