HOLD-UP IN LONDON

New Zealand Times, Volume LI, Issue 11785, 22 March 1924, Page 5

HOLD-UP IN LONDON

TRAMWAYMEN TO STRIKE BUSMEN GIVE SUPPORT, AND TUBE MEN MAY FOLLOW. SETTLEMENT UNLIKELY. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received Maroh 22, 8.55 p.m.) LONDON, March 21. London’s millions will have to get to work on Saturday morning without trams or buses unless an eleventh-hour settlement is arranged, which appears unlikely. The underground railways are capable of carrying thousands more than their usual complement, but nevertheless the greatest inconvenience is inevitable. Moreover, there is talk of the underground workers following the busmen’s example in supporting the tramwaymen. The strikers on Saturday will number 40,000. EIGHT SHILLINGS WANTED. The transport officials state that theyhave been negotiating with the tramway employers for six months, yet the first offer of any sort was made yesterday, and then it was an offer of only five shillings by one group of employers and two shillings by another, against the eight shillings demanded. The employers allege that the men have not given three months’ notioe to terminate the agreement, and that they have refused arbitration. The tramwaymen state that the employers previously refused arbitration repeatedly. NEGOTIATIONS FAIL STRIKE NOW IN OPERATION. INQUIRY. TO BE HELD. Reuter’s Telegram. (Received March 22, 1.15 a.m.) LONDON, March 20. The wage negotiations broke down. The Transport Work era’ Union announces that the strike of London busmen and tram-men begins at midnight to-morrow. The Ministry of Labour has decided to establish courts of inquiy. The employers requested the union to postpone the strike in the meantime, but the union refused.