HAND TO HAND FIGHTING.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1203, 11 August 1911, Page 5

HAND TO HAND FIGHTING.

4 . DOCKERS AND POLICE. NEW ZEALAND BEAT BLOCKED.

By Telceraph-Press Association-Copyrleht (Roc. August 11, 0.20 a.m.) 1 London, August 10. It is estimated that there are now on strike 20,000 dockers, 36,000 carmen, 7000 lightermen and engineers, GOOO coal porters, 8000 stevedores, SOOO labourers, and 1200 porters at tho Billingsgato fish markets, together with additional unregistered workers, making over 100,000 men on st.'ike. Somo 130 vessels laden with meat, wheat, butter, and fruit are lying in the Thames uudischargeable. One Smithfield salesman states that he has 122,000 carcasses of New Zealand mutton and lambs decks awaiting delivery. Another states that ho has cabled to New Zealand to withhold shipments. The Great Western, Great Northern, and Midland Railways' carmen are supporting the strike. The South Eastern Railway is unable to deliver 24,000 cases of Tasmanian apples, which are rapidly deteriorating. All thoroughfares leading to the docks are picketed. The carmen picketing Goswcll Read unharnessed and cut the harness from the horses in Pickford's carts and Paterwn's vans. For half an hour hand-to-hand fighting between tho dockers and the police took place in Tooley Street. The strikers hid in the- side streets, and when the carts appeared to collect butter, a whistle summoned the strikers. They surrounded tho carts, and the carmen were given the option of withdrawing. Two of their carts were overturned. The police were powerless. Similar scenes occurred in Lcadenhall Street anil AWpate. , Tho driver of a van in tho Minories fired a revolver, slightly wounding a boy. Ho became alarmed, owing to the strikers endeavouring to prevent his progress.

Tho driver has been arrested. , Serious disturbances occurred at tho Enst India Docks. The police drew their batons and charged tho mob. Mounted police, four abreast, also broke through tho mob. Many persons werebruised nnd were treated at Poplar Hospital. Similar baton charges were made at Dcptford and Broadway. Eieht arrows ere wmU at Rmithnnld, owing to attacks upon the salesmen, who, under the protection of the police, aro attempting to handle the meat themselves. The employers are ■willihc; to recosuisa ttiß Stov«rlnr<>s' Union, and to concede their demands. Mr. G. R. Askvith's conference with (lie lightermen and coalmen has bp°n ndjourned. It is unrlerctood tint, the carters will join the conference to-day.