LABOUR IN REVOLT.

Timaru Herald, Volume XCIV, Issue 14523, 19 August 1911, Page 5

LABOUR IN REVOLT.

RAILWAY CONFERENCE, PROVES RESULTLE3S. Press Association—By Tel.—Copyright. ; LONDON, August 17. j flio railway managers and railwayi ineu's rew-esentativ-es conferred separately with the Board of 'trade. Mr -Asquith was present. The railwnyiucu'b delegates declined tho Government's offer of an immediate Royal Commission to inquire into tho grievances respecting the working of tho Conciliation Board, but tho managers offered to accept it. Mr Asquitik warned tho railway men of the consequences of refusal. Tho conference introduced a new feature, demanding tho reinstatement of all men looked out before discussing the terms of settlement of the railwaymen's claims. The "Daily Chronicle" declares that Hie sudden repudiation of the agreement of 1907, which, would have ended in 1914, will alienate public sympathy. MORE SECTIONAL STRIKUSS. MIDLAND TRAINS SUSPENDED. Five thousand railwaymen at Leeds have struck and many at Blackburn, Bradford and Leicester, in the absence of a truce; but others await the signal from headquarters. The trains between Manchester and HuddcTsfield, and all the Midlands between Hull and Sheffieeld are suspended, and hundreds of the public are walking along the railway lines in the absence of trains. Rioters destroyed the Midland signal box at Sheffield because it was used after tie signalmen had struck. . The' people of Manchester are subsisting on the reserves of food The efforts to induce -the tramwaymen to strike, failed: The Midland Railway Company has offered the loyalists a bonus of 60 per cent, on their wages during tihe currency of the strike.

There are tvrenty-one -thousand military reservists employed on the various railways, whom the Government may summon. r

MILITARY IN LONDON. Sis train loads of troops with twelve machine guns have been brought to London. Arrangements have been made for five thousand to camp in Victoria Park. Tom Mann declares that he will not ; issue further permits, and oddH that the military can take the responsibility of getting the qaria through the streets. Many shopkeepers have removed tinned goods from their windows. AX THE LONDON DOCKS. There has been fresh trouble with the London dockers, who complain of a breach of the overtime agreement. Contrary to agreement, some London lightermen have struck, objecting to the employment of non-unionists. The shipowners oiler to withdraw the lockout on certain terms. LIVERPOOL. STILL A STORM CENTRE. There has been further rioting at Liverpool. The gravest feature has. been the calling out of the powerhouse' men in order to plunge tine city into darkness and stop the tramways. A number of small supposed incendiary fires have occurred among the shipping at Liverpool. It is doubtful whether the Atlantic | liners will be able to leave owing to inability to coal. The Cunard and "White "'Star s'teamers' crews have been paid Toft. Lord Raglan applied for a cruiser to transport provisions to the Isle of Man, as ordinary communication had ceased owing to the strike. Several cruisers have arrived in tho Mersey to protect shipping. Their appearance with bluejackets prepared to land, coupled with the great military activity, has impressed the mobs. RAILWAY STRIKE ORDERED. THOUSANDS GOING OUT. Received 10.10 p.m., August 18th. LONDON, August 18th. The railway strike lias officially begun on a considerable scale. How far it will become general remains to ; be seen. Thousands have already join- [ ed those, on strike. After the abortive Board of Trade j the railwaymen's exeeeu- | tives met the Parliamentary Committee of the Trade Union Congress and the Labour Party in the Commons, and afterwards the secretary of the amalgamated railwaymen announced I that war was to be declared on the railways for their refusal of a Royal Commission. Fifteen hundred telegrams giving the signal, were despatched. PREMIER INTERPOSES. THE MEN'S REPLY. Mr Asquith, in an address, said the Government would not allow paralysis of the railways, and men would incur a heavy responsibility if they did not weigh his words carefully. The joint executive subsequently issued a manifesto in reply to Mr Asquith declaring his statements unwarrantable and a threat against railway workers who for years had repeatedly asked the Board of Trade, and also Parliament, to amend the conciliation scheme. COMMISSION" APPROVED. GREAT MISUNDERSTANDING. DISCUSSION IN PARLIAMENT. Received 10.80 p.m.. August ISfch. The position was discussed by the Labour Party's executive and dissatisfaction was expressed at the attitude of the Government, and it was decided to give notice of motion of censure. Th scene of nction was then transferred to thhe House of Commons. Mr Lloyd George thought the men did not fully appreciate the oharacter of Mr Asquith's proposl, and had therefore proceeded to recommend a great strike. He felt that if the oovinici must come & nhcruld only come

after a. full understanding of tlio character of tlio proposals. !.k> was giad to announoo that, negoiitious had been opened, and thai the parties were considering the interpretation that the Government did not intend to appoint a roving commission for the purpose of staving off an evil hour. The.Commission would consist of three, representing the companies and the men, with an independent chairman, and would meet forthwith and arrive at a prompt derision.

Mr Ramsay Macdonald said apparently there was a ndsunderstandiug, but it was so grave ajid keenly felt that it had been quite intended to move a v<)U> of censure on -the Ciovernment for tho way they had conducted the negotiations. The Labourites would now do their utmost to bring about peace. Mr Lloyd George eaid that if the Commission was accepted it would be appointed on Saturday, and could meet on Monday. The Government would take immediate administrative action on the Commission's decision, and if necessary summon Parliament. The railway exeutive sat late, considering Mr Asquith's proposal and adjourned till next morning without coining to a decision.

MOVEMENTS OF THE MILITARY. There were stirring scenes at Aldershot and Waterloo over the departure and arrival of tho troops. Two hundred cavalry and 11,000 infantry were transported to London during the night, and bivouacked in the London parks. Three thousand guards arrived from tho Perbright Aldershot command, and were utilised in London,' while the southern command concentrated on Salisbury Plain, in rei'dii'.pss to proceed to the strike areas. Six hundred West Yorkshires wrro despatched to Leeds and six hundred Durhams to Bradford, an dtwo hundred Royal Engineers left Chatham for Liverpool.

LONDON QUIET. Late last night traffic was proceeding normally at the London termini. .Few men ceased work except at St. Pancras, -where five hundred goods strikers endeavoured to induce the passenger men to strike. The Thames lightermen strike today. , It is expected that the: -whole of -the employees in the Kingdom will be called out by Tuesday. LIVERPOOL FROM BAD TO WORSE. Famine is threatened in Liverpool, and the spectre of pestilence hovers over the city, which, is presenting a most dirty appearance. . Tn6 scavengers having struck the daily cieaning is not performed, and the condition of the city is a menace to health. An effort to plunge the city in darkness was partially successful, but the authorities secured assistance and maintained the street lighting. The theatres are closed. The railway services are fairly well maintained, except to Manchester and Yorkshire. The hotels close at two in the afternoon. The sale of bottled Equids is interdicted to prevent the use of bottles as missies. Rioting has begun in "the Scotland Road area of Liverpool. Many bakers' shops Tvere looted in the lower parta of the city, where the pinch of hunger is keenly felt. Two thousand special constables have been enrolled. The tramways are suspended at nightfall in order to conserve current for lighting.