LABOR UNREST

Taranaki Daily News, 10 February 1919, Page 5

LABOR UNREST

.SITUATION CROWING WORSE. ' GREAT BUSH FOR MILITARY I&RRIES. AN UNPRODUCTIVE CONFERENCE. Received 9, C.15 p.m. London, Feb. 0. The strike situation is growing worseTie fog and snow have converted tliu roads into slushy mud and is increasing the public discomfit. The latest strikes on the South Western and London and Brighton affect tue lilies serving the most populous residential suburbs of greater London. It is impossible to tell where the strike storm will burst next. The Great Western drivers and firemen in the flymouth district are striking in sympatny with the South Westerners. There is no indication that the electricians are wavering in their decision to strike to-night, despite the Defence of the Realm Act regulation making it an offence for electricians to stop work. The electricians have already received the 47 hours' week they asked for, and they frankly state they are striking m order to help the men who are railing on the Clyde. There were most curious scer.es during the rush to the city- Military lorries perambulated the streets in the affected districts. City men, faultlessly attired, fashionable women and well dressed girls scrambled into the lorries and stood tightly packed alongside workmen In, corduroys. The strikers at Wimbledon endeavored to hold up the motor lorries bringing Government employees to town, but the driver of the leading lorry, who was wearing a Mons Tibbon, threatened to nm down anv Bolshevik who came his war. The effect was instantaneous, the strikers falling back, amid cheers from the onlookers. The strikers are interfering witli demobilisation. A hundred soldiers on leave from France were held up at 'Victoria and Waterloo, and they have the greatest difficulty in finding Iboard an? lodging. The Home Secretary has taken adequate steps to insure the metropolis* electricity supply. The tube strikers attempts to involve the omnibus and tram employees has hitherto been rebuffed. Sir Albert Stanley (President of the Board of Trade) had a six hours' interview with Mr Brombv (Secretary) and other representatives of the locomotive engineers. Mr R. S. Home (Labor Minister) attended by Sir A. Stanley, during the adjournment consulted Cabinet. Mr Bromhy subsequently said that no definite decision had been reached, and that everything was hanging in tlio air for a few hours, hut plans for the extension of the strike were developing.--Aus.-NZ. Cable Assoc. MORE RAILWAYMAN OUT. PARTIAL STRIKE OF ELECTRICIANS BELFAST LEADERS TO BE ARRESTED. , Received 9, 5.5 p.m. London, Feb. A. Trouble developed on the Brighton line late at night. An official stated that he feared the main line as well as local trains would be completely disorganised. South-western officials are equally in doubt as to the extent of the movement. All motormen and guards on the electrified section struck at midnight Others came out in response to Mr Bromley's call- No early morning trains left Waterloo. The trouble, so far, has not affected the trunk lines in the service North, North-West, North-east or other Companies, where no section of the line is electrified. Although the settlement holds, the underground railways are still idle. The management have issued a notice to the district tube workers who have not returned to work. There were no trains to-day. There is only a partial strike of the electricians, who control the power stations for lighting and factories and there has been no stoppage of engineers thus far, though the threat remains. The engineering section on the Clyde is almost at full work, but there is little improvement in the shipyard position. Manchester engineers declined to strike in favor of a forty-fq.»r hoursWarrants have been issued for the arrest of the chief Belfast strike leaders. and a charge of conspiracy to injure public safety. RAILWAY TROUBLE SETTLED. \ TROUBLE AT BELFAST AND GLASGOW. Received 9, 5-5 p.m. • ' Londonj Feb. 7. The railway strike has b.-en settled Details of the settlement have not been disclosed, but it is expected that London railwaymen will return to-day. Urgent messages were sent to the power houses in the early morning hours. Sixty thousand engineers, shipworkers and municipal employees remain idle in Belfast. Threats of a general strike accentuates the situation in Clasgow, where the bakers are striking to-day. The London electricians have resumed pending the consideration of national set ion, of which there are persistent .rumors. The Miners' Federation meets at South, port next week to receive the Government's reply to tlieir demands for 30 per cent increase in wages, a six hours' day and the nationalisation of the mines.— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assoc. EIGHT HOURS PAY FOR MEN,Received Feb- 9, 5 5 p.m. London, Feb. 7. The Press bureau reports that the President of the Board of Trade announced that he has agreed with the locomotive engineers and firemen that, pending the consideration of general conditions of railway service, ui*3e*» pround trainmen will work an eight hour day, mealtime not to be included, but nil reaswpaWe facilities will be given to meet the men's physical needs.— Aug.&Z, Cable Aiace. »nd RshUTj