LONDON STRIKE.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXVI, Issue 11656, 11 June 1912, Page 4

LONDON STRIKE.

FOOD GROWS DEARER. [By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.] (Per Press Association.) Received June 10, at 10.15 p.m. London, Juno 10. A leading cmpJo/er states that the masters have declined to hold any communication with the present transport leaders. Should the men'appoint new ; leaders doubtless the employers will reconsider their present unalterable; attitude. Mr. Gosling, at Tower Hill, said they wanted a standard wage for all Port of London men. but were unable to accept compulsory arbitration. Mr Thornc urged immediate picketing of railway -tations and Smithfield to prevent the handling of meat. Mr Lansbury said if the Government reallv wished to keep open the food supplies it should abolish the Port- of London Authority, and icplacc it with a board representing the masters and men equally. Owing to the strike the quarter loaf is a halfpenny dearer. Tnv>lve 'thousand weavers in Lancashire objecting to the use of trade union funds for political purposes, dcr tided to- secede from the- Northern Weavers' Amalgamation and form a Lancashire Amalgamation. Received June 11, at 9.15 a.m. London, June 10. The Transport Workers' Federation appeal for . funds. They declare that 100,000 workers are concerned in this dispute, and 300,000 ' children'•• and 100,000 women need maintenance. Several relief committees have already bean organised. The Shipping Federation- protested to the Premier against Mr M'Kenna's refusal to protect free labor as Government encouragement of lawless interference with the rights of citizenship. Received June 11, at 10.55 a.m. London, June 10.

Replying to Mr Bonar Law, Mr Asquith, promised, to afford!, opportunity for debate at an early date, on a votej of. censure in connection! with'-Mr M'Kenna's alleged l refusal to protect men desirous of working. The shipowners have decided that it is impracticable to federate, land that a return to work must precede negotiations for a settlement. At a meeting at Tower Hill a thousand strikers who- served as Regulars and 'Territorials volunteered., as. :»! strikers' civiilian force. Ben Tillett advised, them to arm with the biggest cudgels they could find.--' - • Received Juno 11, at 0.20 p.m. . London, June 10. The employers have rejected the Government proposals and 1 the National, Executive of Transporters has telegraphed to all centres recommending an immediate general stoppage.