RAILWAY STRUGGLE

New Zealand Times, Volume LI, Issue 11734, 23 January 1924, Page 8

RAILWAY STRUGGLE

STRIKING BACK AIEN ARE DETERMINED TO CALL A HALT. UNION NOT BLUFFING. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Reuter’s Tel«zram LONDON, January 21. Determination to adhere to the strike decision marked a crowded final meeting of tho London members of the Locomotive Society. The secretary, Air Bromley, said: “"We are going to strike hack.” He declared that he had received a message threatening to shoot him if a strike occurred, but such threats would not prevent their protest against the general managers demanding their pound of flesh. STOPPING THE SLIDE. The society was determined to stop the never-ending ®lide down into prewar conditions. They would not object to any Government running the mails and carrying food to the neople, but any Government, even a Labour Government, which helped to run private railways during a strike would ho blacklegging. The companies had been told that the union was bluffing, but they would find nine-tenths of the trains stopped at midnight- The men would cense work from one end of the country to tho other. ' CONFLICTING REPORTS.

Reports as to the effects of the strike are still verv conflicting. It is claimed at the offices of the railway managers that the vast majority of National Union drivers and firemen remain loyal to the union. A few here and there have struck in sympathy with Mr Bromley’s union, but most of them reported for work. Other reports state that at Warrington the members of the two bodies made a common cause tn striking, and at Crewe the National Union men are acting as strike pickets. In London, while Paddington Station is congested with derelict main line trains, the situation at other London termini is not so bad. Officials are hopeful of keeping restricted services running. The underground railways, trams, and ’buses were crowded to the fullest capacity this morning, and thousands of motoi-care are employed bringing workers to the city. DISLOCATION COST OF THE STRIKE. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received January 22, B.IS p.m.) LONDON, January 22 The present strike situation may be summed up as a dislocation, but not a paralysis. Emergency plans for dealj ing with the strike whioh were drawn up at a conference between the Board of Trade and the Ministry of transport will only come into operation in the event of a crisis imperilling the nation’s food supplies. Mr Ben Tillett etates that the reai menace is the chance that the whole transport system of the country may be embroiled. Many transporters feel that their grievances justify an extension of the strike. ONE MILLION DAILY. The National Union of Manufacturers estimates that in one way and another the strike costs the community £1,000,000 daily. If the normal railway services are halved the companies’ takings will be reduced to £2,000,000 weeklyi Averaging strike pay at 26s per capita weekly the stoppage will cost Mr Bromley’s union £78,000 weekly. Workers managed to get to London and other business centres with relatively little trouble. City firms are arranging for charabancs to bring in their workers. Many lorries came tcthe city with loads of laughing typists and jesting clerks. Others used bicycles. The coal supplies for each family in London will be, rationed at four hundredweight weekly. INTER-UNION STRIFE APPEAL FOR LOYALTY BROMLEY’S SPEECH PROPAGANDA. Reuter’s Telegram. (Received January 22, 7.45 p.m.) LONDON, January 21. Inter-union strife in connection with the railway strike is exemplified by the fact that the National Union of Railwaymen’s executive has telegraphed to the secretaries of their branches throughout the country, declaring that Mr Bromley’s speech clearly showed that efforts are being made to prejudice the position of the union for propaganda purposes and disintegrate the organisation. Therefore it is imperative that members should remain solid in their loyalty to the organisation. TRANSPORT READY SECRET ORGANISATION NATIONAL MEN STRIKE. (Sydney “Sim” Cable.) LONDON, January 21. At midnight the locomotive men of Bromley’s union abandoned their engines. It is reported that many National Union men at Preston, Newpoil, and Glasgow also struck in sympathy The Ministry of Transport holds a secret organisation in readiness for instant operation in event of a serious threat to the nation’s food supply. ONLY J^ARTIAL STOPPAGE INCOMPLETE 1 BOAT TRAINS RUNNING. Renter’* Teiesrsm LONDON, January 21. Reports from various parts of the country this afternoon show that the railway stoppage is only partial, and that substantial services are maintaining the boat trains running from Victoria and Waterloo Stations.