ULTIMATUM TO STRIKERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LV, Issue 16914, 29 July 1918, Page 5

ULTIMATUM TO STRIKERS.

WORK OR THE TRENCHES. EXEMPTIONS CANCELLED. TIME EXPIRING TODAY. (Received 5,5 p.m.) A. and N.Z.-Reuter. LONDON. July 2G. The Press Bureau states: Mr. Lloyd George announces on behalf of the. Government that certain munition workers, disregarding their duty and their accredited leaders, have ceased work, not in pursuance of a trade dispute, but in tho endeavour to force the Government to a change of the national policy essential to the prosecution of the war, while millions of their fellow-countrymen are hourly facing danger and death for their country. The men now on strike have 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 workers wilfully absent from work on Monday will be deemed as voluntarily placing themselves outside the munitions industries. Their protection certificates will cease on that date and they will bo liable to the provisions of the Military Service Act. POSITION IN BIRMINGHAM ONLY A SECTION AFFECTED. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Reed. 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, July 26. Latest investigations in Birmingham show that yesterday's estimate of the strikers was greatly exaggerated. Probably not more than 20.000 are striking, and there is little sympathy with the strikers. The majority of firms hfiv.- largo stocks of tools and gauges, so they have not been forced to stop work. The conference of the National Engineering and Allied Trades Council at Leeds reached its decision filter long discussion. It is understood there was considerable opposition to its decision, which is regarded as giving a serious set-back to hopes of settlement. A sympathetic strike has begun in South Staffordshire and East Worcestershire, where thousands are idle. The strike notices expire on Saturday at Newcastle. SUBMARINE SAVAGERY. CRIME IN SPANISH WATERS FRENCH SEAMEN MURDERED. (Received 5.6 p.m.) Eeuter. MADRID. July 27. A submarine sunk the French cargo carrier Lydien, and rammed the rafts and boats within territorial waters. Thirty bodies of the murdered seamen have been washed ashore. BRITISH VESSEL ATTACKED. REPORT FROM AMERICA. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Reed. 5.5 p.m.) NEW YORK, July 27. It is reported that a German submarine attacked a British steamer off the coast. BRITISH TREASON CHARGE. DENIAL OF CONSPIRACY. A. and NZ. LONDON. July 26. At the hearing at tho Old Bailey of the case in which Sir Joseph Jonas, exLord Mayor of Sheffield, was charged with treason, Jonas stated that his firm had done extensive business with Germany before tho war. When war broke out German customers owed his firm nearly £80,000. He denied that he had been a party to a conspiracy prejudicial to the country. FAILURE OF SUBMARINES. DEFEAT NOW DEFINITE. A. and N.Z. LONDON, July 26. Mr. Lloyd George, in a speech at a dinner in honour of the American, French, and Italian Food Controllers, said that there was no fear whatever that the Allies would be starved. Germany's submarine policy was the greatest and wildest gamble of history, for on it was pitted our whole destiny. It had definitely failed as far as the starvation of Britain and her allies was concerned, but economy was still essential .owing to the heavy demand on tonnage to feed the American and other armies in France. EXCHANGING PRISONERS. TERMS OF AGREEMENT. A. and N.Z. LONDON, July 26. In the House of Commons, Sir George Cave said that The Hague agreement provided for the repatriation of all combatant prisoners after 18 months' captivity and of civilians desiring to return. Combatants would be exchanged men for men and rank for rank, but owing to the difference in tho numbers of civilians this would be compensated by additional British combatants. The exchange would include those interned in Switzerland and Holland. Special provisions were made regarding the employment of prisoners in mines and retention in the battle area to be subject of inquiry by neutral commissions, The agreement terminates In August, 1919, by which date about 120,000 will be eligible for repatriation. The agreement is inoperative until mutually ratified. MINERALS OF THE EMPIRE. BUREAU OF CONTROL. A. and N.Z.-Reuter- LONDON, July 26. The Press Bureau states that the Imperial Conference ratified the scheme for an Imperial Mineral Resources Bureau, which will bo incorporated by a loyal charter. Tho governing body will consist of Sir Richard Redmayne, chairman, and the following, nominated by Governments and Departments named :—Dr. W. G. Miller (Canada), Messrs. W. S. Robinson (Australia), T. H. Hamer (Now Zealand), W. P. Sclreine.r (South Africa), Lord Morris (Newfoundland), R. D. Oldham (India), J. M. Evans (Colonial Office), Sir Lionel Phillips, and others of the Ministry of Reconstruction. AUSTRALIAN NAVY. LAUNCHING OF CRUISER. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Seed, 6.5 p.m.) SYDNEY, July 58. The cruiser Adelaide has ken successfully launched*