THE BRITISH STRIKE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19783, 7 May 1926, Page 9

THE BRITISH STRIKE

CONFERENCE OF PARTIES REPORTED. SEEKING BASIS FOR NEGOTIATIONS LABOUR LEADERS ACTIVE. DRAMATIC DEVELOPMENTS EXPECTED DISTURBANCES IN SEVERAL TOWNS.

(Press Association —By Telegraph—Copyright.) LONDON, May 6. (Received May 6, at 7.25 p.m.) Tile latest indications point to a growing determinaflon to fight on. The House of Commons debate sounds a note of gloom, while a hint of worse things to come /as sounded by Mr Henderson. Meanwhile the early quiet appears to be giving way to local riots. The attitude of the Trade Union Congress was summed up to-night as follows:—“Our last word to the Government was that the < ir was still open.” The absence of dock workers is interfering with the despatch of cargo steamers to Australia and New Zealand, but the mail teamers will punctually. The Ruahine will sail to-morrow. (Received May 6, at 11.10 p.m.) It is reported from Liverpool that the sailors and firemen have called a .trike.—A. and N.Z. Cable. (Received May 7, at 1.10 a.m.) It is understood that Mr Baldwin and Mr Thomas are conferring with a view to reaching a basis for negotiations for the settlement of the strike. There is also great activity among the Labour leaders Dramatic developments are expected.—A. and N.Z. Cable. .

TRAFFIC TO LONDON. CONGESTION LESS MARKED. LONDON, May 5. The journey to London is now much ; easier and the traffic is markedly less congested, due to better organisation and more trains.—A. and N.Z. Cable. Although this is the second day of the strike all the roads to the city are crowded with traffic, chiefly an endless procession of private cars and food lorries, yet conditions are very different. A 12-mile run yesterday took two hours and to-day one hour. A number of omnibuses are working the principal routes, manned by volunteers. Even their stairways are packed. People going to the city by long routes from the suburbs are very good humoured, despite the dismal weather. A novel feature is the posting in windows of the broadcast news bulletins, which are surrounded by eager crowds. —Reuter. THE TRAIN SERVICES. GENERAL INCREASE. LONDON, May 5. There are distinct evidences of regular, although attenuated, train services Roth long-distance and the suburban tubes wire ' partially working, and there are queues outside the stations, which yesterday were closed.—Reuter. All the railway companies announce that they are increasing their services, and the underground company hopes to restore --a full Central London tube service today or to-morrow, and, if sufficient volunteers are enrolled, to run the other underground.—A. and N.Z. Cable. SATISFACTORY TRAM SERVICES. ISSUE OF COUNTRY NEWSPAPERS. BROADCASTING FREELY USED. LONDON, May b. Good tramway services are operating in Glasgow, Liverpool, and Bournemouth, and the publication of newspapers has been resumed in a number of country towns, including Newcastle, Cardiff, and o-iasgow. Photographic plates of typescript are being utilised in many cases. The London financial newspapers are being published with stock and share movements. Broadcasting was extensively used last night for the distribution of Government information and other news relating to public arrangements. The service was operated every half hour from 9.30 p.m. till midnight.-—Reuter. FOG AND RAIN. DISCOMFORT IN LONDON. CONDON, May 5. London’s discomfort is completed by the settling down of a dense fog and incessant drizzle. —A. and N.Z. Cable. NEWSPAPER OFFICE RAIDED. SEIZURE BY POLICE. CENSORSHIP INSTITUTED. LONDON, May 5. The police raided the Daily Herald office, and occupied the building as the staff was publishing the Trade Union Congress’s paper entitled The British Worker, which is counter to the British Gazette, and seized it. Later the Government released the paper for publication under censorship.— A. and N.Z. Cable. POSITION IN THE COUNTRY. A FEW DISTURBANCES. LONDON, May 5 The Civil Commissioner reports that the general position in the country is satisfactory. There has been no serious rioting, though there were some disturbances at° Newcastle and Chester-Je street.—A. N.Z- CaUe.

EFFECT ON CRICKET. EXPENSES GREATLY INCREASED. LONDON, May 5. The Australian cricketers are not escaping the effects of the general strike. The weather is affecting the gate receipts, while the expenses is trebled. It was thought that the troubles would have been minimised following the offer by a motor firm to place six cars at the team’s disposal for the remainder of the tour, but the difficulty in obtaining drivers resulted in the offer being withdrawn. The team had to return by motors from Leicester last night at a cost of £SO, as against £ls, by rail. Taxis have now been commissioned.—A. and N.Z. Cable, The Marylebone Cricket Club recommends the counties to carry out their progiammcs as far as possible, and urges that the best elevens be fielded against the Australians out of courtesy to the guests. —A. and N.Z. Cable. DRIVER LEAVES TRAIN. PROMPT REPLACEMENT. LONDON, May 5. The driver of a troop train left the engine at Fratton. An officer replaced him, and the train proceeded.—A. and N.Z. Cable. VALUE OF WIRELESS. INCENDIARISM IN LONDON. THREE CASES REPORTED. ' LONDON, May 5. A remarkable sign all over London is • that every wireless shop is fitted up at j its doorway with a loud speaker. Crowds ; throng around listening to the periodical i broadcasting, because few are lucky ! enough to get copies of the British Gazette I i r the single-sheet typescript issues of the j other papers. Cricket, which was on everybody’s lips three days ago, has completely dropped from fought. Tlie latest blow is the closing of eight theatres There are prospects of to-morrow showing a great improvement in the transport. The underground alone has enrolled 3000 volunteers, which number is all who could be adequately trained. The company promises a more or less regular service Though London generally is quiet and lucre is a marked absence of demonstrators, some uneasiness is felt in the East End. Three instances of incendiarism • are recorded. Two motor lorries and one car were burnt in the East India Dock read. The publication of the British Gazette caused a mild disturbance in the Strand early tnis morning outside the Morning Post office, culminating in the arrest of a striking printer named James Mills. ! The police alleged that he tried to tip the motor driver out, then went to the hack wheel and tried to rip the tyre with a knife, but he was frustrated. Mills was lined 40s or three weeks’ imprisonment. Instances of interference are reported, including the stoppage of non-union buses at Nottingham and Rotherham, but the chief constable later intervened, and eitected a restoration of the services. The Newcastle Unionists’ District Committee ignored the Trade Unions Congress Headquarter’s orders to handle food. As a result there is likely to be a shortage of food over the week-end. Nottingham is also likelv to be short of meat. —A. and ..Cable. j FOOD SUPPLIES. POLICE ESCORTS SUPPLIED. LONDON, May 5. I Military liason officers are providing I police escorts for conveys of food wagons ■ at all London docks in order to frustrate interference with the Hyde Park milk distribution scheme, which is in full operation. j\ large fleet of lorres is arriving daily from the milk districts. Over 1000 vehicles are assembled at the Park, while Infinitely more are on call in case of emergency,—A. and N.Z. Cable.

DESIRE FOR SETTLEMENT. INFORMAL NEGOTIAIONS. LONDON, May 5. In view of the conciliatory speeches in the House of Commons to-night, Mr Baldwin and Mr Thomas renewed their formal conversations to see whether an understanding were possible without delay.— A. and N.Z. Cable. TRADE UNION LEADERS. SITTING TILL MIDNIGHT. LONDON, May 5. The General Council of the trade unions broke up at midnight. The situation is unchanged. The council will resume its deliberations in the morning.—A. and N.Z. Cable. ' INCENDIARISTS BUSY. EFFORT TO BURN TIMES OFFICE. LONDON, May 5. An attempt to burn down The Times oflice was frustrated. Petrol poured from a lane set the paper ablaze in the machine room. The office firemen fought the fire until the brigade extinguished it. —Sydney Sun Cable. EMERGENCY POWERS ACT. REGULATIONS DISCUSSED. DEBATE IN HOUSE OF COMMONS. LONDON, May 5. Interest of Parliament in the events was evidenced by the early arrival in the House of Commons of the Prince of ..'ales and the Duke of York, who sat together in the Royal Gallery and followed the questions with the closest attention. Mr R. M'Neill, answering Comamnder Kftnwarty, said that the Government had not considered the Stock Exchange during the crisis. Commander Kenworthy: Does the Government accept the responsibility for the statements contained in the British Gazette? Sir W. Joynson-Hicks (Home Secretary) : Yes, and the cost is borne by the Treasury. Mr E. Thurtle (Labour): There is an articl attacking the trade unions. Is it the Government’s intention to carry on propaganda of this soft? Sir W. Joynson-Hicks: I must have notice of that question. Mr Kirkwood : Isn’t this the first indication that the Government is embracing Socialism by running the press of the country ? The Speaker: That is a question on which members may have their own opinion. Sir W. Joynson-Hicks moved that approval be given to the Emergency Powers Act Regulations, which were not operative if they were not approved within seven days. He added that they be approved for a month, after which the whole country hoped that an extension would not be necessary. They did not prevent a man from striking, but enabled the urovernment to taKe possession of iiuilciinus, and undertakings for the benefit of the whole nation. Sir W. Joynson-Hicks said that the Hist regulation, which related to sedition regarding incitement to mutiny and disaffection, was an adaptation of the existing common law, with the difference that an offence could be dealt with summarily. Regulation 33a gave great power to deal with newspapers. The police could enter any building suspected of printing and publishing any document calculated to cause mutiny, sedition, or disaffection among the forces or civilians. Furthermore, it authorised measures to secure thv. supply and distribution of foodstuffs and necessaries. These powers were vital at the moment to the nation’s life. He had already issued orders for the maintenance of the electric supply, transport, motor spirit supply, and the continuation of the railway services. The railway position was improving ; likewise the bus services. Most of London’s power stations, said the Minister, were working admirably. Five power stations were not working so well. The power supply of the London Hospital was cut off to-day, but the Ministry would take steps to correct such things. The food supply was going on well. The Government was doing its utmost to protect those who were carrying out their legal avocations. “I appeal to all able-bodied men,” he said, '“to protect the community in this time of difficulty and danger.” Air Thurtle: Will you deal with article 22, taking away the right of nublic meetings ? Sir W. Joynson-Hicks: That regulation prohibits meetings likely to cause grave disorder. The police last night learned that the Deptford Communists, with the National Unemployed Workers’ Committee and the International Class War Organisation, were holding meetings with a view to organising an immense procession to march to the heart to London tonight. This was likely to cause a breach of the peace, so I directed the police to prevent the procession. The country at the moment is steady. Sir W. Joynson-Hicks quoted Mr Ramsay MacDonald’s 1912 book on Syndicalism, in which he said he was against a general strike, which was not a weapon for reform, but hit the poor heavily, the middle class less, and the rich least of all, and that society would organise against it. Sir W. Joynson-Hicks continued : “That is what I wish to emphasise. Time is on the side of law and order, and if we stand fast we will see a way out of the difficulties.” Mr Henderson asked: Was the Home Secretary aware that Mr Baldwin, on Saturday evening, received a definite offer from those responsible, and who were able to give every assistance ? One would have thought that the Government would Lave said that—as the responsible union leaders had never ceased to say —that they were prepared to negotiate to find a formula by which the whole business could be terminated. It was no use being told they were in a state of war. The Governn it was not even prepared to talk or to try to find a settlement. If that were going to continue to be the Government’s attitude then the position in the ountry during the next few days was going to be such as to baffle the imagination of everybody. He was as alarmed at the position as any Conservative. He believed that even now the House should lend its energies to see whether they could not get back to where they were at 1 o’clock o.i Monday morning. He believed that the negotiations would then have gone on if news had not come that a certain newspaper had been interfered with. It should be the business of all sections of the House to return to that position to see if the trouble could not be settled by reason, and net by force.—A. and N.Z. Cable. May 5. (Received May 6, at 8 p.m.) In tile House of Commons, Mr Lloyd George deplored the Government’s precipitancy in breaking off the negotiations. It was a serious and most grave error. shared Mr Henderson’s apprehension. He did not think, as a great many did, that this was something which would pass away easily. He was convinced that the public were behind the Ministry in the maintenance of essential services, but the Ministry must not underrate the forces on the other side. The trades unions were the best disciplined and the most ably led, and there was loyalty amongst the unions almost like the loyalty of the army, ft would be a mistake for the House to assume that the men would dribble back and throw over their leaders. It was the House which would settle the matter in the end. He believed it was over early td do so at the moment, because the nation did not realise riite how things were going. What really mattered was the spirit and manner in which the regulations were carried out He appealed to the Government to exercise restraint and tact. Four million trade unionists felt that the law had been strained against them. He condoned the attack on unionists published in the British Gazette, but said it was most undesirable to engender bitterness, the dregs of which would be drunk, not by the

unionists, but by millions tf innocent people. Sir Joynson-Hicks said he accepted the responsibility for the publication of the British Gazette, but he did not read it. He denied that he intended to use it as propaganda. Mr Lloyd George: What we want is news, and not dope. He appealed to the Government to conduct the proceedings with temper, restraint, and impartiality, which would reflect credit on the nation. Sir W. Joynson-Hicks: I have no intention of stopping meetings. My aim is to administer the regulations in the manner Mr Llovd George hopes for.—A. and N.Z. Cable." LONDON, May 6. (Received May 6, at 8.25 p.m.) In the House of Commons, Sir E. M. llitfe, speaking on behalf of the directors of a group of newspapers with a circulation exceeding 10,000,000 copies, offered to print in each edition two colounis of matter supplied by the Labour Party, unaltered. Mr O’Connor asked how it could be an advantage to anybody to continue the struggle. The country would hold the man wtio defeated the last attempts to prevent a disastrous war heavily, if not criminally, responsible. He concluded by saying: “Is there a question of dignity? Good God, what’s any man’s dignity compared with this great disaster?’’ Mr Thomas said that at 11 o’clock on ISunda., night he had accepted a proposal for a settlement which Mr Baldwin himself had written down. Mr Baldwin intervened, explaining that the formula was not written by himself, but was reached by a discussion between the permanent official acting for the Government and the Trade Union Congress, which might be submitted to the miners. Mr Baldwin added that the members of the Cabinet were trying to get an assurance from the Trade Union Council that a settlement could be arrived at on the lines of the commission’s report. He was not clear whether the council said they were satisfied about that. While the Trades Council was seeing the miners the Cabinet learn of an overt act to suppress tb newspapers, and it felt that this completely changed the situation. Mr Ramsay MacDonald, who intervened said the council was only in the next room, but, it was not asked if it was responsible or even if it knew about it. While ie members of the council were busy working out the formula, Mr Baldwin’s letter was received, saying that the whole thing was finished. When the consternation was over the council decided to send a deputation to the Cabinet and explain the matter, but they found the door locked and the whole place in darkness. Mr Baldwin: As regards the alleged lack of courtesy in ending the negotiations let me remind Mr MacDonald that the negotiations were broken because of the actual beginning of a general strike, it is a pity that the work of the peacemakers was killed by the action of hotheads, but no government could yield to a general strike. The moment the strike were called off unconditionally the Government was prepared to resume negotiations. Sir A. Mond appealed for a renewed conference. He said there was no reason whv the Government should not orolong the subsidy for a few weeks if it saw peace ahead. Mr" Hartshorn declared that until today there had not been a really genuine attempt to bring about a settlement. If this were going to be a trial of strength it would be a mistake to imagine that it would end speedily. On the motion for the adjournment, A., Baldwin amplified his earlier explanations regarding the negotiations on Sunday. He emphasised the statement that the difficulty throughout the week had oeen the impossibility of securing either from the miners or the Trade Union Conress a full and free acceptance of the commission’s report, with all its implications. The terms of the formula given to Mr Thomas were: “The Prime Minister has satisfied himself as the result of conversations with representatives of the Trades Council that if the negotiations are continued, it being understood that the notice to strike will cease to be operative, the representatives of the council are confident that a settlement can be reached on the lines of the report within a fortnight. Owing to the unmoving attitude of the miners regarding the assurances that should be given, a new formula was given, reading: “We would urge the miners to authorise us to enter into discussions with the understanding that we accept the report as the basis for a settlement and we approach it with the knowledge that it mav involve some reduction in wages.” Mr Baldwin concluded by saying that it had been stated in the House of Commons that the organisers of the general strike did not intend it to be a strike against the Government. How better could they show their good faith than by saying now that it had become a strike against the Government? Until the general strike was out of the way all progress was blocked completely. Mr Thomas, who followed, recapitulated the negotiations, incidentally sayinv that after Friday it ceased to be a miners’ dispute. The council was empowered to ■ ~t with full authority, but Sir A SteelMaitland— Mr Neville Chamberlain intervened, and contradicted Mr Thomas, pointing out that the council had later said that it was not empowered to make a decision on behalf o f the miners. Mr Thomas concluded by saying that he was not going to allow passion, temper, or even the wonderful response of our people to allow the door to be banged on the pea ' which he hoped would speedily come. The House of Commons was adjourned. Following Mr Baldwin’s and Mr Thomas’s conversation Mr MacDonald safv Mr Cook and Mr Herbert Smith and discussed the situation.—A. and N.Z. Cable. LONDON, May 6. (Received May 7, at 0.5 a.m.) Just before the House adjourned Mr Lloyd George said that, in view of the vital points disclosed in the debate, he hoped he would be able to refer to the matter to-morrow The Speaker replied in the affirmative. —A. and N.Z. Cable. OPINION IN THE LOBBIES. POSITION OF UTTER UNREASONABLENESS. HTRONG HOPE FOR IMPROVEMENT. LONDON, May 6. (Received May 6, at 8.25 p.m.) Two days of a general strike have produced a feeling in the lobbies as to the utter unreasonableness of the attitude into which the parties have drifted. Many of the Conservatives are impressed by the tone of the speeches from the Labour benches, while the Labourites clearly recognise the risk of their party being identified with the general strike ; obey, to the detriment of their political future. There is a strong hope that to-morrow may produce a formula which will permit the strike to be ended before it gets beyond the control of its authors.—A. and N.Z. Cable. DEBATE IN HOUSE OF LORDS. LONDON, May 6. (Received May 6, at 8 p.m.) In the House of Lord\ Lord Salisbury moved for the approval of the strike regulations. The Archbishop of Canterbury said that every support must be given to prevent men from acting as a sort of oligarchy, usurping the functions of the Government. Simultaneously they must work for a solution, giving an assurance that nobody was trying to lower the wo!' V standard of life. Lord Buckmaster said he did not think the Government could have avoided the disaster, which was planned from the beginning. Lord Birkenhead stated that the Government was not, and would not be, prepared to negotiate so long as a threat was held uit against constitutional government. The quarrel could onlv end by the recognition that there was only one government. He asked: Do Haldane and bis colleague approve of a general strike ? Lord Haldane : I urged a continuance of the negotiations.

Lor.l Birkenhead : I shall leave it there. No single ex-Labcur Minister here dares to say that he approved of a general strike.—A. and N.Z. Cable. ATTEMPT TO DESERT - INCIDENT IN NEW YORK. OFFICERS FRUSTRATE EFFORT. NEW YORK, May 5. The first disturbance here in connection with the British strike occurred at noon to-day, when 46 members of the engine-room crew of the White Star liner Arabic attempted to rush from the ship to the pier three minutes before the steamer’s scheduled departure for Europe. Three officers of the snip frustrated their attempt and the vessel sailed on time.— Reuter. THE MONEY MARKET. FALL OF THE FRANCS. LONDON, May 5. An inexplicable relapse occurred in the franc. Belgian opened at 153, and are now 160; and the French, which opened at 151, are now 155?. —Reuter. PARIS, May 5. The fall of the franc is attributed to sales Dy British banks to bolster up sterling, also to the fact that the strike is bound seriously to affect French exporters and ultimately the Continental trade generally. NEW YORK, May 5 i'he heavv selling of Belgian francs, which carried the rate down 25 points to a new low record for all time of 2.95, and a slump of 12 points in French francs, establishing a new low record of 3.11, is attributed to the unsettling effect of the British strike. In both cases the selling is apparently inspired by fears that the crisis will delay definitely the plans for extending the international stabilisation of credits in these countries.—Reuter. SERIOUS POSITION IN BELGIUM. MINISTERS RESIGNING. BRUSSELS, May 5. (Received May 6, at 8 p.m.) A serious financial position has arisen as a result of the depreciation of the franc. Supplementary Estimates are being submitted to the Chamber for £1,136,000,000 for the 1925 Budget. The 1926 Budget must be revised. A loan from the banka on which the Government was counting is now impossible. The Minister of the Interior has resigned, disagreeing with the fiscal policy. The Minister for the Colonies has decided to resign.—Reuter. GERMAN WORKERS’ ATTITUDE. NO COAL FOR BRITAIN. BERLx.;, May 5. (Received May 6, at 8 p.m.) A conference of the General Federation of Trade Unions, miners, transport workers, and railwaymen passed a resolution to support to the utmost the British unions. There will he no bunkering of British vessels, and all measures are being taken to prevent coal from reaching Britain.— Reuter. -AiNlßri WORKERS’ SYMPATHETIC. PAST FAVOURS REMEMBERED, - COPENHAGEN, May 5 (Received May 6, at 8 p.m.) The Danish Geiaral Workers Union states that if a request for support is received from the British workers it will be difficult to_ refuse in view of the help which British Labour afforded the Danish strikers in the spring.—Reuter. CONTINENTAL FOOD SUPPLIES. EXPORT TO BRITAIN SUSPENDED. A SYMPATHETIC STRIKE. PARIS. May 5. A number of British cargo vessels at Boulogne, laden with fruit and new potatoes for Spain, are held up. The export of cherries, strawberries, and ether early fruits from the provinces has entirely ceased, and growers are likely to be involved in heavy losses. Two thousand workmen in a motor car factory at St. Ouen struck in sympathy with the strikers in Britain. The Petit Parisien says: “The man in c.ie street in England has set his face resolutely against revolution.’’ Gaulois says: “All civilised people sftould stand together at such a time.” The Echo de Paris does not doubt that constitutional Government will ultimately triumph. L‘Oeuvre expresses the opinion that the striae is due to the readoption of the gold standard. All the newspapers comment on the remarkable coolness of the British public in the present crisis.—Reuter. SUPPORT FROM RUSSIA. CONSIDERABLE SUM COLLECTED. RIGA. May 5. The trade unions throughout Russia are subscribing to support the British strikers and have already collected several thousands of pounds.—A. and N.Z. Cable. SOVIET PRESS VIEW. MOSCOW, May 5. “Great Events in England” is the heading of M. Zinovieff’s article in-the Soviet press, in which he declares that “the principal danger to British Labour comes from i - Right Wing leaders, who have joined the movement for the purpose of betraying it. Mr Baldwin’s aeroplanes and organisation for the maintenance of supplies are not half so dangerous as Mr Bamsay MacDonald, Mr Thomas and Co.”—A. and N.Z. Cable. THE STRIKERS’ POSITION. TRADE UNION CONGRESS SATISFIED. LONDON, May 5. (Received Mav 6, at 7.25 p.m.) An official review, issued from the headquarters cf the Trade Union Congress, declares: “Our solidarity and unanimity are maintained, and we are satisfied that the machinery is working smoothly and well. The council has received resolutions of support from the Confederation of Labour in France, Holland, America, and Canada, offering to do anyming possible to help, and also messages of congratulation from Germany and offers of practical help from the mining districts. Strict orders have been issued to the men to be exemplary in their conduct and not to give grounds for police interference,” EXTENSION OF THE STRIKE. POWER STATIONS AFFECTED. ENGINEERS STILL WORKING. LONDON, May 5. (Received Mav 6, at . 7.25 p.m.) The trouble is extending to several power stations. The electrical trade unionists at the London power stations struck to-day. At present, however, there is no danger of the light or power being cut off in the London district because the engineers, who are members of other unions, are still working. Should they strike, it is understood that the Government has an adequate supplv of volunteer labour. The Walthamstow power house employees have struck, but the South Wales employees have decided to maintain the current. —A. and N.Z. Cable.

BREACHES OF THE PEACE. SOME SERIOUS DISTURBANCES. SEVERAL PEOPLE ARRESTEC. LONDON, May 6. (Received May 6, at 7.25 p.m.) Rioting occurred at Hammersmith, where six independent buses were disabled. The conductors were forcibly pulled off, but were rescued by the police. Eight arrests were made in the East End in connection with riots ,in which two policemen were injured, one seriously. At Stoke-on-Trent an attempt was made to run a motor bus, but thousands of people prevented it. Stones were thrown, breaking the windows. There was a serious disturbance at Leeds, where thousands of people broke the windows of trams with lumps of coal, and attacked a small force of police, who were compelled to retire. Later they were reinforced, and charged the crowd with batons. There has been an extension of the riots at Hammersmith. A crowd gathered outside the headquarters of the local Fascist!, and hurled missiles at the police. Several arrests were made. Ueneral omnibuses are now passing through the suburbs with policemen alongside the drivers, while the mounted men are heavily reinforced. Buses manned by inspectors appeared at Cardiff after the corporation had notified the tram men to return to work or to return their uniforms. There was no opposition. On the contrary the appearance of buses in Birmingham was the signal for general disturbances. A crowd held up the buses and demanded that the passengers should alight. The drivers were ill-treated, and the tyres of the vehicles were slashed. The buses were thereupon withdrawn. — A. and N.Z. Cable. APPLE IMPORTERS WORRIED. HEAVY STOCKS ON HAND. LONDON, May 6. (Received May 6. at 7.25 p.m.) The apple importers are perturbed at the fact that 48,000 cases which were discharged before the strike are still in the sheds. At present the fruit is undamaged, but it is likely to suffer if the weather is warm.—A. and N.Z. Cable. SECOND ISSUE OF GAZETTE. PROMISE OF MEANS OF TRANS PORT. RECOGNITION OF LOYALTY. LONDON, May 6. (Received May 6, at 10.5 p.m.) The British Gazette, in its second issue, claims that the nation is calm and confident. It advises Londoners not to walk to work, as there will be a full service at the London station on the Central London Railfay on Thursday and a plentiful supply of London General and independent omnibuses. An official notice to the printing trade says that when the strike is ended the Government will take effectual measures to prevent the victimisation by the trade unions of men who remain at work. No settlement will be agreed to which does not provide for this for a lasting period and for its enforcement by penalties. No man who dees his dutv to his country will bo left unprotected from reprisals. The Gazette devotes half a column to the match between the Australians and Leicester, but the other news is meagre.— A. and N.Z. Cable. PALL OF DARKNESS. TRAFFIC CONGESTION INCREASED. LONDON, May 6. (Received May 6, at 11.10 n.m.) An extraordinary pall of darkness like midnight spread over London at noon, intensifying the traffic congestion, Fortunately it soon lifted.—A. and N.Z. Cable. TELEGRAPH DEPARTMENT CONGESTION. CALLS MUST BE REDUCED. LONDON, May 6. (Received May 6, at 11.10 p.m.) The postal authorities announce that the telephones and telegraphs are so congested that the calls on the wires must be reduced to a minimum.—A. and N.Z. Cable. TAXI MEN TO STRIKE. LONDON, May 6. (Received May 6, at 11.35 p.m.) The taxi cab men have decided to strike at midnight. This was expected. As a matter of fact the taxis have not been doing exceptional business owing to the number of volunteer drivers on the roads giving people free riuea. Many such cars were driven Ly women.—A. and N.Z. Cable. MORE DISTURBANCES. OMNIBUSES WITHDRAWN. LONDON, May 6. (Received May 6, at 11.10 p.ni.) The omnibuses in the Renfrewshire district had to be withdrawn after a number had been forced to speed up to escape pursuing assailants. At Dundee the manager of the tramways tried to run a car, but strikers blocked the line, and the car was abandoned. At Nottingham the strikers seixed the carburetters and poured out the petrol from the omnibuses, which were being worked by volunteers. One hundred tramcars and omnibuses are operating in Edinburgh. They are worked mostly by students. Fifty per cent, of the tramway employees at Portsmouth resumed work when they were threatened with dismissal. Several police were drafted to Newcastle and they soon quelled the attacks on the motor buses.—A. and N.Z. Cable. NAVAL ACTIVITY. LONDON, May 6, (Received May 6, at 11.10 p.m.) Destroyers have arrived at Newcastle and Middlesbrough and the battleship iiooo and the cruisers Warspite and Comus have arrived in the Clyde. The Comus is proceeding up the river.—A. and i>.Z. Cable. POSITION IN SOUTH WALES. MINERS VERY QUIET. LONDON, May 6. (Received May 6, at 11.10 p.m.) Reports from the mining area in South Wales depict life as normal. The miners are working in their gardens or playing games.—A. and N.Z. Cable. NORTHERN IRELAND. PREPARING FOR EMERGENCY. LONDON, May 6. (Received May 6, at 11.10 p.m.) The Northern Ireland Parliament has passed a Government Bill empowering the Governor, if the emergency arises, to proclaim an emergency and to regulate the supplv and distribution of necessities. —A. and N.Z. Cable TENNIS TOURNAMENTS. SUSPENSION URGED. LONDON, May 6. (Received May 6, at 11.10 p.m.) The Lawn Tennis Association advises that all tournaments should be discontinued during the national emergency.—A. and N.Z.

ANXIOUS TO GET HOME. VISITORS TO FRANCE. KEEN DEMAND FOR PASSAGES. PARIS, May 6. (Received May 6, at 11.55 p.m.) Owing to the demand for air passages to London the fare has been doubled. The hotels at Boulogne are thronged with people wishing to return to England. They are offering fantastic prices, even for tugs and small boats, but the supply is not sufficient.—A. and N.Z. Cable. PRODUCTION OF PAPERS. GALLANT EFFORTS MADE. LONDON, May 6. (Received May 6, at 11.10 p.m.) A new feature in London is the appearance of a flood of little job-printed handbill newspapers, which are selling like hot cakes at threepence each. The news is mostly a stale repetition of the broadcast bulletins.—A. and N.Z. Cable LONDON, May 6. (Received May 6, at 11.35 p.m.) The Labourites represented that as the Government was issuing the British Gazette, it was only reasonable that the other side should have its own organ. The Government assented, subject to a censorship, and consequently a paper was published. It was eagerly bought at any price the newsvendors could obtain.—A. and N.Z. Cable. The appearance of the Labour paper and the Continental edition of the Daily Mail on the streets at night-time caused some excitement. The Labour paper gives prominence to the General Council’s message that Labour's response exceeded all expectations. The rest of the paper consists of reports from the provinces. The Daily Mail issued four papers of the usual size. The news was telephoned and telegraphed to Paris, where it was printed, and thence it was carried byaeroplane to London. The street sellers are asking for a minimum of 3d per copy —A. and N.Z. Cable. NEW ZEALAND LABOUR BODIES. QUESTION OF ASSISTANCE. " ar (Per United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, May 6. Mr Roberts, secretary of the Alliance of Labour, stated to-day that the question of financial assistance to the workers at Home had not vet been considered, but probably would he before long. It is reported that the New Zealand Labour Partv will shortly discuss it. The Wellington Watersiders’ Union is reported to have sent £IOO to its federation for transmission to Britain. THE SEAMEN’S POSITION. (From Our Own Jorrespondent.) WELLINGTON, May 6 It was announced in the cablegrams last night that the British seamen were reported by Mr Havelock Wilson, their union secretary, to be taking a ballot on the question whether or not their organisation should go out on strike along with the other unions. A Wellington union official remarked to-day that such a ballot would probably take a long time to complete, so long, in fact, that by the time all the votes had been accounted for the strike would probably be over. No doubt that was why Mr Havelock Wilson had bad a clause providing for a ballot being included in his union's constitution. It could hardly become effective when quick assistance was required by other unions.