BRITISH AFFAIRS

Southland Times, Issue 18811, 3 May 1920, Page 5

BRITISH AFFAIRS

RAILWAYMEN THREATENING TROUBLE. “WORKING TO RULES.' (By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) LONDON, April 29. The London branches of the Railwaymen’s Union, numbering 50,000 men passed a resolution on Saturday to “work to rule’ 1 until they receive the full extra £1 a week demanded. This variation of the “stay in” strike will result in serious dislocation and delay to traffic and complete confusion in the ser-’ vice. Similar resolutions were passed at Liverpool, Manchester, Glasgow, and Cari lisle. The movement is not supported by trades union officials. A “work to rule” strike wpuld result in chaos and comic-opera effects at London stations, as the rule book contains 30 pages One typical rule instructs guards to obtain from stationm.-triers an intimation that all is right before starting a train, and to see that every' door is shut. SCOTTISH LIBERAL FEDERAj TION. | A FURTHER CLEAVAGE. I LONDON, May 1. I (Received May 2, 11 p.m.) There was an interesting meeting of the Scottish Liberal Federation at which the annual report made a vigorous justification of Asquith Liberalism and an implied criticism of the action of Mr Lloyd George and the Coalition Ministers, including Mr Churchill. Other Ministers present spoke defending (he Government’s action, but the report was ! carried by a large majority. The meeting marks a further breach in the Liberal Party. WOOLLEN FRAUDS. AN KXTRAORDiNAUY IMPOSTURE. LONDON, April 29. Charles [lease has been sentenced to five year.-, imprisonment, the sentence to be concurrent, cm each of two charges of obtaining £1(1,000 and attempting to obtain IViO.OOO and £OO,OOO from a woollen merchant by falsely representing that he had secured a contract to purchase from the Government 15,500,000 yards of surplus cloth. A surprising feature was the disclosure that lleasc, who was on friendly terms with several members of the Hoiise of Commons, repeatedly used the smoke rooms, writing rooms, and dining rooms in the Houses of j Lords and Commons for business interviews i with other strangers. The jury in a rider I drew attention to this laxity.

I AM IMPERIAL FLEET. { OVERSEAS CO-OPERATION. LONDON, April 30. Mr Long, speaking at the Constitutional Club, said the Im]»erial Conference in Lon- ] don in the spring was designed to create | a more Imperial character for the Navy | based on the dominions’ co-operation, which | was now one of the Admiralty’s and the | Government’.'? chief aims. | THE MEAT GLUT. ! A CABINET INVESTIGATOR. | i LONDON, .April 29. | The Cabinet has deputed Sir L. Worth- ! ington Evans to examine the mutton glut i and decide on the host course to take. j A PLAY STOPPED. I | EXTRAORDINARY AFFAIR AT ; GARRICK THEATRE. I LONDON, April 30. 1 There were extraordinary scenes at the j Garrick. The interruption from the gallery compelled the abandonment of the first ! night of Hartley Manners’ play “One Night in Rome,'’ in which Miss Laurettc Taylor, ; famous as ‘Teg o’ My Heart” was appearing. There was a brilliant audience, including the American Ambassador, whose box was draped with American flag;?. Some state that the demonstration was due to the scenery not allowing the people in the galleries a proper view of the stage, but it was possibly connected with Miss Laurettc Taylor’s attitude during the war, as paper pellets, snuff and red pepper were discovered in the gallery, proving that the demonstrations were organised. ,V ; s,s Laurettc Taylor in a speech alter ; tnd to placate the disturbers, promising them stalls another night, but failed. .Mr Cochrane then stopped the play and promised another first night. The disturbances; recall the old price riots at Co vent Garden in ISO 9. Miss Taylor and Messrs Cochrane and Hartley Manners nrofes-s to be at a loss to divine the cause, though they were certainly planned as stink bombs were dropped in the stalls. Scores of coppers were flung on the stage and snuff pellets affected many occupants of the stalls. Mr Justice Tlorridge, who was present, suggests a Sinn Fein plot, but probably the real cause will be disclosed to-day. BISLEY RIFLE MEETING. AN ARMY COUNCIL DECISION. LONDON, May 1. (Received May 2, 5b p.m.) The Army Council refused to permit BisIcy marksmen to use service rifles with the barrel packed with a view to checking vibration.