TRAFFIC STRIKE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19134, 31 March 1924, Page 5

TRAFFIC STRIKE

A SETTLEMENT REACHED. END OF A GREAT STRUGGLE, A»»*«Utloa—By T«logT»-pJ>—Copyright LONDON, March 28. The Traffic Strike has been settled. —A. and N.Z. Cable. PEIME MINISTER’S DECLARATION. GOVERNMENT NOT STRIKEBREAKERS. LONDON, March 27. In the House of Commons Mr MacDonald announced that tho traffic strike conference had been adjourned until tomorrow. He said he had found both sides desirous of effecting a settlement. The Government would do its best to meet the public convenience while the dispute lasted, and in the event of its spreading the first step -would be the proclamation of a state of emergency. Every hospital would be provided with facilities for bringing and taking away patients. The larger public services must be maintained, and the Government must protect those engaged in legal occupations; but he emphasised that the Government would not act merely as a strike-breaking organisation. Mr MacDonald referred to outside suggestions that the Government had received, including the flooding of the streets and the troops commandeering employers’ property and material. He declared that the only rule the Government Would adopt was quiet and calm action. Mr Baldwin and Mr Lloyd George expressed approval of the Government’s action. Mr Lloyd George approved of the suggestion of commandeering if the need arose owing to insufficient voluntary assistance. He said the Prime Minister need not imagine ’that this was an extreme proposal from which any section of the House would shrink if it were necessary.—Reuter. A SUGGESTION FROM LABOUR. LONDON, March 28. A joint meeting of the Trade Union Congress and the Labour Party urged that 9 the Government, in the event of its using the Emergency Committee, should subsidise the whole of the London traffic services, paying the wages of tho strikers until the traffic problem is solved. —Sydney Sun Cable. TERMS OF SETTLEMENT. RATIFICATION BY BALLOT. LONDONERS INCONVENIENCED. LONDON, March 29. (Received March 30, at 5.5 p.m.) The terms of settlement of the tramway strike reached between the Companies Negotiating Committee and the Transport Workers’ Union is subject to confirmation by the Transport Delegate Conference to be held to-day, and possibly to a ballot of the men. Pending this ratification the inconvenience suffered by Londoners during the past week will continue, but it is'hoped that some tram and bus services will start again on Sunday in the event of the terms proving acceptable. The provisional settlement carried with it a postponement of the threatened tube strike at midnight last night. Nevertheless, it is anticipated that full services on the underground railways will not be available during the earlier part of to-day owing to the difficulty of communicating the postponement of the strike to the men who were off duty. The news of last night’s turn of affairs obtained wide publicity, despite the comparatively late hour (9.30 p.m.) of its being broadcasted. —Reuter. SIX SHILLINGS PER WEEK ADVANCE. LONDON, March 29. (Received March 30, at 5.15 p.m.) Tlie terms of the tram strike settlement are that the men will receive six shillings weekly advance in the higher grade, and four shillings in the lower grade, immediately, and the remaining two siblings demanded will fluctuate according to the cost of living.—Reuter. A BALLOT TO-DAY. LONDON, March 29. (Received March 30, at 5.15 p.m.) Mr Bevin submitted the terms of settlement to a conference of. delegates from tho Transport Workers’ Union. After a lengthy discussion it was decided that the position be explained to the strikers tomorrow, and a ballot be taken on Monday. It is understood the conference will refrain from making any recommendations to the strikers. Mr Bevin’s speech was well received, but strong opposition was developed chiefly on account of the terihs offered to the lower grade men.—A. and N.Z. Cable. TRAFFIC STILL DISORGANISED. TRAMLESS AND BUSLESS WEEKEND. LONDON, March 30. (Received March 30, at 11.45 p.m.) London remains tramless and busless over the week-end. The earliest possible time to make a recommencement, if the men accept the terms, will be Tuesday. Even then it will only be partial. It is understood that Saturday’s meeting of tramwaymen’s delegates was very stormy. They were unable to reach unanimity hence the leaders resorted to a ballot without a recommendation, the result of which remains to he seen. The public welcomed the postponement of the tube strike fixed for Friday at midnight, but found the tube service much disorganised on Saturday, the reason given being that the men. were off. Londoners are deeply disappointed at the dilatory settlement, thousands of men and women being weary and foot-sore with tramping citywards. Women and office-cleaners in the city were obliged to rise at 4 o’clock, breakfast, and then walk three or four miles to their work. Later followed the workmen, afterwards the clerks and girl typists all afoot. The newspapers are full of pictures showing the crowds, like armies, crossing the Thames bridges morning and evening. The tubes were not increased in length, or w-ere the number of trains increased in order to avoid a charge of blacklegging, consequently the compartments were blocked and many stations were closed at intervals, and tho crowds found it ruinker to walk home than wait for the trains. To-day will be the second tramless and busless Sunday, the effect of which is that the streets are utterly deserted, everybody staying at home.—A. and N.Z. Cable.