THE DOCKERS' STRIKE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 15056, 27 July 1912, Page 7

THE DOCKERS' STRIKE.

HE ATTACK ON LORD - DEVONPORT.

WHAT INCENSED THE MEN. AN INFLAMMATORY THREAT. "' MAKE . THEM LICK THE DUST." By Telegraph.— Association.—Copyright. London, July 25. At a further meeting of the dock strikers at Tower Hill to-day, it was proposed to march to the residence of Lord Dcvonport (Chairman of the Port of London Authority), but the leaders dissuaded the men from carrying out the proposal. Mr. McKenna (Home Secretary), in speaking in the House of Commons, said that the Government was advised that Mr. Ben Tillet's language had not rendered him liable to prosecution for incitement to violence, nor could Mr. Havelock Wilson and others be prosecuted for conspiracy in attempting to organise a national strike.

Mr. Will Crooks (Labour M.P. for Woolwich) said that a majority of the party repudiated Mr. Tillet's language towards Lord Devonport. The Daily News says that Mr. Gosling and Mr. Orbell and other responsible leaders of the strike cannot clear themselves of the stigma of yesterday's outrage except by a complete and final dissociation from Mr. Tillet,

The Pall Hall Gazette says: " Ben Tillet's prayer was regrettable and extreme ; but let us be fair. Lord Devonport's remarks about forcing the strikers to lick the dust were so abominable and inflammatory as to explain any retort." Non-unionists are replacing strikers at Birkenhead.

THE APPEAL TO AUSTRALIA.

FINANCIAL AID SOUGHT. (Received July 26, 8.50 jj.m.) Melbotcixe, July 26. The Trades Hall, in response to a cablegram from the London transport workers, has issued a circular to the union, asking for financial assistance to tho strikers.