TRADES AND LABOUR. THE POLICE STRIKE. London, July 8.

Otago Witness, Issue 1901, 10 July 1890, Page 24

TRADES AND LABOUR. THE POLICE STRIKE. London, July 8.

Sir Edward Bradford has ordered the dismissal of all insubordinates in the ranks of the police. The situation is regarded as critical, and the places of the men dismissed are being rapidly filledby recruits.

The military specials are being drilled in performance of police duty, and their services will be utilised in the event of a strike.

In the House of Commons to-day Mr H, Matthews, Home Secretary, said that all precautions had been taken in case of a strike. The police strike has collapsed, and the men have resumed their duties everywhere unconditionally. There is no disorder in the streets, and the crowd is dwindling away. The military have been withdrawn, and it has now transpired that the constables at Bow street refused to fall in for parade, but ultimately the majority agreed to proceed on their beats, when the minority forcibly endeavoured to prevent them from doing bo, and several scrummages were the result. Constables from other districts are filling the places of the men out on strike. The mobs in the streets were dispersed by the Life Guards. Under the influence of tbe older men the police reserves maintained their loyalty, and the agitation is settling down. Many of the rioters will be prosecuted, including John Williams, the Socialist. Twenty-one constables have been suspended, k and the others sullenly proceeded to their duty.

The dismissed constables petition the commissioner to be reinstated. July 9. The approaches to Bow street are guarded by old and tried constables, and a strong detachment of mounted police patrol in the vicinity. There is an immense crowd in the streets, and the mob are noisy and aggressive, but less criminal than yesterday. Since the commencement of the strike some of the troopers have been roughly handled, and several were injured by stones and bottles thrown from among the crowd. The police used their batons freely, and numerous arrests were made. The constables aro obedient to commands, and tte excitement is quieting down. To-day's work shows the complete failure of organisation on the part of the police. A Yorkshire regiment has arrived to assist the Household Brigade in their London duties. The police complain of the meagre support extended to them by the public. All danger of a strike has been averted. THE POSTMEN. July 8. The postmen will not strike, provided blacklegs are not employed. The Trades and Labour Council will, in the meantime, negotiate witb Mr Cecil Raikes and endeavour to persuade him to recognise the right of the men to hold meetings. The council will also ask that the men who have been dismissed be reinstated, that the rate of wages be fixed, and that the men be allowed to form a union. Considerable excitement was caused at the Post Office by the sorters belonging to the union expelling blacklegs. THE MARITIME OFFICERS' UNION. A number of telegrams passed between Capt. Highman, secretary of the Marine Officers' Association, and Mr J. A. Millar, secretary of the Maritime Labour Coancil yesterday, with the result that the latter has now proceeded to call a meeting of the Maritime Council to bo held in Wellington probably next Monday, to consider the matters in dispute. Mr Millar informs us that it is the wish of the shipowners as well as of the association that the council should take the matter up.

Wellington, July 9. The Hon. George M'Lean had a meeting with all the officers in port this afternoon, and disousßed ihe difficulty carefully with them. SubBequently Captain Highmau had an interview with Mr M'Lean, and agreed to withdraw the notice contained in his letter of Monday last that all officers would leave their ships on the 14th inst. unless the demands were conceded. Mr M'Lean agreed to this, and negotiations will now be resumed in a friendly spirit.