TRANSPORT STRIKE.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume XXIV, 24 March 1924, Page 2

TRANSPORT STRIKE.

STARTS IN LONDON. Per Presg Association—Copyright. LONDON, March 21. The tramway and bus strike has begun. The strike committee of the Transport Workers’ Union sat throughout the night.

It is reported this morning that the stoppage of buses and tramways is complete. This is evident in the streets where an occasional pirate bus is seen, despite the close picketing of pirate garages.

The suggestion that the tramways endeavour to run a non-unionist skeleton service is countered by a threat by the electrical trades union to cut off power, which would also extinguish the lights of London. The tubes were unusually crowded with city workers this morning. Char-a-bancs were also utilised, but it is understood the underground railwaymen are anxious to join the busmen in a sympathetic action on behalf of the tramwaymen. The Court of Inquiry opened at the Law Court this morning. The bus strike has practically the whole of London’s vast net work of street passenger transport. Two ciousand tramcars, four thousand buses, normally carrying five million daily, have been rendered idle.

The men showed no enthusiasm, but unhesitatingly obeyed their leaders "orders to strike.

The only hope of settlement lies with the official Court of Inquiry into the wages disputes, which opens this morning.

Owing to the tram strike, crowds ot people three or four miles to business. The underground trains were not augmented, and were consequently overcrowded.

The public regarded the strike good huinouredly, but largely because it was’Saturday w’ith the early closing ot shops and offices. It will be a different matter if the strike lasts into next week. The Government inquiry, in view ot urgency, is sitting on Sunday. London streets during the week-end were strangely quiet, colourless, tram less and busless. Owing to the transport strike some typists on Saturday arrived at their offices on roller skates and moto l scooters. All sorts of conveyances f">m vai-v old hansom cabs turned o"t. Charabancs plied for hire on Piccadilly Circus nt theatre time. Private omnibuses so far have not been interfered with.