BECOMING WORSE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXI, Issue 18784, 18 May 1923, Page 5

BECOMING WORSE

THE STRIKES IN BELGIUM

TRAIN SERVICES STOPPED The railway and postal strike in Belgium is becoming more serious. Socialists are making loud outcry against the Government’s action in calling up the strikers as soldiers to perform their old work. By Telegraph.—Press Association. —Copyright. Received May 17, 7.40 p.m. BRUSSELS, May 17. The strike of railwaymen and postai workmen is becoming rapidly more serious. Trains running between Brussels and Antwerp were ex pectedly stopped at liO o’clock last night, leaving passengers in the lurch. They were told to alight and walk. The news caused excitement in Brussels, where thousands of people wanting to return to Antwerp rushed to the station, only to find no trains departing. Within an hour, every taxi-cab was requisition ed. Similar scenes were enacted at Antwerp, where thousands of people wanting to get to Brussels were stranded. It is feared trains between Bel gium, France and Holland will stop to-day. Women interviewed the Minister of Railways, urging the initiation of negotiations. He refused to take any action until the men resume work.

ANGRY SCENES IN PARLIAMENT

BRUSSELS, May 17. Soldiers wearing steel helmets, and with bayonets fixed, lined the public gallery of the Chamber. When the Socialist Deputy, Vander. velde, challenged the legality of the Government’s decision to mobilise strikers as soldiers to work the railways, the President of the Chamber, hammering his desk, amid stormy scenes, threatened to suspend the session. The Minister of National Defence declared that the Government was within its legal rights in protecting the economic life of the community. The House could put someone else in his place if it opposed his policy.

THE POSITION IN ANTWERP

BRUSSELS, May 17. Antwerp dockers refuse to handle goods from militarist railwaymen. No goods are arriving at Ostend, and work at Liege is coming to a standstill. Largo orders have been already lost. Two hundred and fifty volunteer postmen are handling letters in Antwerp, and it is hoped to have a nearly normal service in three or four days.—Aus. and N.Z. Cable Association.