LONDON PARALYSED

New Zealand Times, Volume LI, Issue 11786, 24 March 1924, Page 7

LONDON PARALYSED

STREET TRANSPORT IDLE MEN UNHESITATINGLY OBEY ORDERS TO STRIKE. INQUIRY OPENED. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Reuter''* Tel*gran>. (Received March 23, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, March 22. The ’busmen’s strike has practically paralysed the whole of London. Tho vast system of street passenger transport, comprising 2000 tramcars and 4000 ’buses, normally carrying five million people daily, has been rendered idle. The men showed no enthusiasm, hut unhesitatingly obeyed their leaders’ orders to strike. The only hope of a. settlement lies with the official Court of Inquiry into the-wages disputes, which opened this morning. TUBE MER MAY JOIN TO SUPPORT TRAMWAYMEN. STOPPAGE COMPLETE. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received March 23, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, March 22. ■The strike committee of the Transport Workers’ Union sat throughout the night, and reported this morning that the stoppage of ’buses and tramways is complete. This is evident in the streets, notwithstanding that an occasional pirate 'bus is eeen, despite the close picketing of pirate garages. A suggestion that the tramways should endeavour to run a non-union-ist skeleton service was countered by a threat by the electrical trades union to cut off the power, which would also extinguish the lights of London. The tubes were unusually crowded with city workers this morning. Charabancs were also utilised, hut it is understood the underground railwayman are anxious to join the ’busmen in sympathetic action on behalf of the tramwaymen. SKATES AND SCOOTERS TYPISTS NOT TO BE BEATEN. HANSOM CARS TURN OUT. Australian and N.Z. Cable Associatiou'Recejved March 23. 11.45 p.m.) LONDON, March 23. Owing to the tram strike, crowds of people walked three and four miles to business. The underground trains were not augmented, and consequently were overcrowded. The public regarded tho strike goodhumouredly, but largely because on Saturday there was early dosing of shops and offices. It will be a different matter if the strike lasts into next week. The court of inquiry, in view of the urgency of the matter, is sitting on Sunday. A QUIET SUNDAY. Later. The London streets during the weekend were strangely quiet and colourless, being without trams and buses owing to the transport strike. Typjsts on Saturday arrived at tbeir offices pn roller skates, motor scooters, and all sorts of conveyances. Every old hansom cab turned out. Charabancs plied for hire at Piccadilly Circus at theatre time. Private buses so far have not been interfered with.