STRIKE SPREADS.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 18690, 13 May 1926, Page 9

STRIKE SPREADS.

SHIPPING YARDS AFFECTED

STRIKERS TO WAIT ON CABINET.

(BT CABLE—FHISB ABSOCIATIOS—COPTBIOHT-) (AUSTRALIAN A*D K.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION.)

(Received May 12th, 7.15 p.m.)

LONDON, May 12,

The most important development of the day came last night, when telegrams from the East coast of England and Scotland stated that a striko of shipyard engineers had been ordered, involving all grades. Twenty thousand workerß aro affected on the Tyne, where a number of large works immediately closed down.

Many workers, however, decided to remain at work.

The majority of tho men nt South Shields, resenting the instructions, met and passed a resolution expressing n determination to ignore the strike. The employees of the Muldlcsboro' shipyards aJso passed a resolution, declaring the orders of the executive unconstitutional, and declining to strike until a national ballot had been takeu.

The Clyde shipyard workers have also been called out, the order affecting about 50,000. There is some doubt regarding the action of the boilermakers.

The Trades Union Congress Executive in London has not yet annortftccd an oxtension of the strike, so it may be unofficial.

It Is announced that In view of the possibility of tho Trades Union Congress desiring to approaoh the Government, Mr Stanley Baldwin and otner members of Cabinet waited at Downing Street till 12.30 o'clock this morning. A Trades Union Congress Council meeting was then in progress, and lasted till 1.30 a.m., after sitting for five and a naif hours.

Later it was announced that the Trades Union Congress leaders would visit Downing Street this morning.

RETURNING TO WORK.

MANY SEEK RE-EMPLOYMENT

(AUSTRALIA* AND S.Z CABLE ASSOCIATIONS.)

(Hcceived May 12th, 3.5 p.m.)

LONDON, May 11

Tho most important events to-day may bo summarised as follows:— Many printers In the provinces are resuming, and several factories are reopening owing to the Government transport facilities. The entire supervisory and clerical staffs of the Marine Department and the Midland Railway at Holyhead resumed.

Stevedores in London are asking to be all allowed to resume, but have been told to-day that they must wait until the general strike is cancelled. Practically the whole of the students of Oxford and Cambridge are engaged in volunteer work, many being station-, ed in Loridon«as specials equipped with steel helmets and truncheons. At Portsmouth a crowd vainly endeavoured for three hours to bring out workers at tho tramway depot, from which a full service is operating. The Plymouth tramwaymen have resumed and some have enrolled us specials. On the other hand, the plumbers, painters,, and timber workers have joined the strikers. Thero has been no interruption of power services, and the distribution of supplies of petrol is proceeding more rapidly than last week. Bight hundred strikers at the Royal Small Arms Factory at Enfield hare resumed work.

It is announced that scores of Thames wharves have opened for traffic to-day The whole bf ,the employees of a bio; flour mill in the Medway seceded from the Union, owing to the possibility of their being called out, and Deptford and Greenwich flourmillers report that 90 per cent, of the employees have resumed work. Clyde sailings have been resumed. Bus and tram services in Edinburgh are practically normal, and numbers of old. employees have returned to work.

Strikers Uneasy.

The Government does not lose sight of the fact that many of the resumptions outlined have not had more than a passing effect on the strike. It officially announces that while the number of individuals returning is increasing, there is yet little sign of a general collapse of the strike. The Trades Union Council is believed to be making an effort to call out certain trades which are still working. It can, however, be definitely state'd that there is a growing dissatisfaction among the strikers and considerable uneasiness regarding the ultimate results.

The formation of the new civil constabulary, it is offioiaUy explained, was undertaken in order to have the aid of uniformed men should the forces of disorder grow momentarily beyond police capabilities. The only alternative would have been the employment of the armed Forces of the Crown, which would be a condition of affairs that all would deplore, as it is generally felt that not a shot should be fired and no bayonet fixed in the present struggle. Sir Herbert Samuel continues to be active in trying to establish relations between the miners and the coalowners. There is some suggestion that the Marquis of Reading should be asked to act as mediator.

STRIKE ORDER IGNORED.

BELFAST DOCKERS CONTINUE

TO WORK

(AUSTRALIA* A»D V.Z. CA»LI ASSOCIATION.)

LONDON, May 11

Belfast dockers ignored the ordor to strike. When Liverpool and Fleetwood steamers arrived they unloaded all the foodstuffs, which was the main cargo.

Rotterdam food shipments to England are being resumed, as the result of confirmation of the news from the British Government that the vessels can be discharged*