LONDON STRIKES SETTLED.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1205, 14 August 1911, Page 7

LONDON STRIKES SETTLED.

GARTERS' CRIEVANCES.

OASMS BY THE MEN. SITUATION AT LIVERPOOL GROWING GREAT LOCK-OUT THREATENED. By Teleirra-ph-Press Association-Copyrieht « (Rec. August 13, 5.5 p,m,) London, August 13. The conference between the lightermen and the employers, held under the presidency of Mr. G. R. Askwith, of the Board of Trade Labour Department, after sitting for thirteen hours, agreed to accept an increase in wages averaging 25 per cent. This is the fifth strike Mr. Askwith has settled in a week, The Strike Committee has issued a manifesto congratulating the men on their victory, and declaring the strike at an end,

NEW CONDITIONS SECURED. MEN 'RESUMING WORK. London, August 11. After a conference lasting all night, a settlement was reached to-day on the carters' grievances. A six days' week of seventy-two hours was agreed upon, no day's work to consist of more than fourteen hours. Drivers of one-horsed vans are to receive twentyseyen shillings a week, of two-horsed vans thirty-one shillings, and of four-horsed vans thirty-eight shillings. Stablemen are to be paid twenty-seven shillings a week. The lightermen and stevedores' grievances are still under consideration. None of the sections will resume work until all are satisfied Later. The situation in regard to the strike has improved. Tho carters are resuming work. Orders for the reception of troops -in London have been countermanded. The Sinithfield meat markets have reopened. Private carters are drawing their supplies unmolested. . NEARLY 200 SHIPS IDLE. GREAT BLOCK IN THE THAMES. (Rec. August 13, 5.5 p.m.) London, August 12. Tho Port of London Authority state that 193 ships are lying in tho river and at tho docks awaiting discharge. Many others took cargoes of perishable goods back to tho Continent. GOVERNMENT ACTION. STATEMENT BY MR. CHURCHILL.

London, August 11. Mr. Winston Churchill, Home Secretary, questioned in tho Houso of Commons in regard to the great transport strike, said that unless a settlement was arrived at to-day it would, bo.necessary for the Government to mako a statement regarding the steps essential to maintain order and ensure tho people's food supply. The Commissioner of Police had been instructed to-, take all measures required for tho preservation of order, and promptly to arrest intimidators. Mr. G. Lansbury, Labour member tor Bow and Bromley, and Mr. Will Crooks (Woolwich) bitterly complained of the actions of the police. A DEMONSTRATION. PROCESSION, THROUGH LONDON. London, August 11. Mr. Ben Tillet, speaking to fifteen thousand people at Tower Hill, stated that the Strike Committee had granted permission to the Post Office to get fodder and petrol in order that tho mails might not lie interfered with. The committee had also granted permission to the West Ham Guardians to secure food for the children in tho workhouse. Mr. Gosling, the secretary of tho Transport Federation, states that a deadlock has occurred in connection with six thousand lightermen, whoso grievances the present strike is ending. (Rec. August 13, 5.5 p.m.) London, August 12. After speeches by Mr. Ben Tillet and others, a huge crowd of strikers, carrying banners, and with bands playing tho "Marseillaise," marched in procession from Tower Hill, through Leadenhall Street, and' Eastcheap. The crowd was orderly. PARALYSIS OF TRADE. DISTRESS AMONG THE POOR. MANY FACTORIES CLOSED. London, August 11.

Owing to tho strike, the newspapers are threatened witi a shortage of paper. Five thousand tons are used weekly. Ten thousand tons are lying on tho wharves at Wapping and Blackfgriars, but are not deliverable, it is estimated that many papers have only Hireo or four days' supply. Practically no business is being done at Covont Garden Market. Supplies are reaching the market by strategy, such as being packed in furniture vans. Thirty thousand cases' are lying at the SouthEastern and Chatham Railway Company's stores. The carmen have no grievance, and are not striking, but other strikersare preventing delivery. Arrivals consisting of fifty thousand cases of French, Spanish, and Californian fruit will bs spoilt unless tho strike is ended on Monday. The strike has not affected the wool trade. It is estimated that 95 per cent, of tho purchases at tho last series of wool sales had been removed from the warehouses prior to the strike. A' deputation of Tooley Street importers interviewed Mr. John Bums, President of tho Local Government Board, and received satisfactory assurances as to the Government's action. They decided to keep their warehouses open, and will be able to deliver to buyers who send their own

There is great distress among the poor. TEOOPS SHORT OP FOOD. (Hec. August 13, 5.5 p.m.) London, August 12. Tho shortage of supplies among the troops at Woolwich continues. Tho men are existing largely on bully beef, and the horses have been placed on. half rations. AN OMINOUS OUTLOOK. LIVERPOOL MEN OUT OF HAND. GREAT LOCK-OUT THREATENED. (Rec. August 13, 5.5 p.m.) London, August 12. The situation in Liverpool is dangerous. The men have lost all sense of discipline, and the recently increased pay has gi ;on the impression that the "employers car. bo further squeezed. The stevedores at -Liverpool, contrary to their leaders' advice, demand that eight men must Iw engaged to work each hold, regardless of the fact that this is often a physical impossibility. Fifty Liverpool shipowners havo signed a letter stating that the Dockers' Union officials havo failed to persuade tho men to observe their agreement, and adding that it is impossible to work tho port under tho present chaotic conditions. Unless all sections return to work before noon on Monday nil works at Liverpool and Birkenhead will be closed down. TEOOPS ARRIVING. London, August 11. Liverpool is quieter, owing to strong police measures. A considerable quantity of foodstuffs has been removed from the railway stations. Two squadrons of Scots Greys havo arrived in tho city. IN OTHER CENTRES. TRAMWAY STRIKE IN GLASGOW. (Rec August 13, 5.5 p.m.) London, August 12. Tho Glasgow Corporation- tramway men havo voted for an immediate strike-. STRIKE IN EDINBURGH. London, August 11. Tho railway men at Newcastle havo refuccd to handlo goods diverted from London and Lancashire through the strike. A thousand workers at tho Edinburgh Roperies and Sailcloth Company's woTks at Loith have struck. Tho men have no grievance beyond a- desire to securo increased wages for the women. FRENCH LOSSES. (Eec. August 13, 5.5 p.m.) Paris, August 12. ."Lo Temps" declares that French fruit and vegetable exporter: have lost .£40,000 owing to the strike in London. EFFECT ON NEW ZEALAND TRADE. HIGH COMMISSIONER'S REPORT. The following cablegram on the strike at Homo has been received by the Act-ing-Prime Minister from tho High Commissioner:— "Dock strike affects importation of meat, etc., from all countiies. No special reference to New Zealand. Carters affect London's trade. Terms now arranged. Dockers' carters, coal traders, allied workers' claims now under consideration of conference employers and employees. Smithfiold doing fair business to-day. With reference this strike, anticipated men will resume work early next * CCa- some local views. Local merchants agreo that tho position in London is not likely to affect the New Zealand meat industry to any serious extent, as the great portion of our moat is already in store in London. The only fear is in regard to tho vessels yet to arrive which may not bo ablo to obtain sufficient coal to keep the freezing machinery going, in which case the position would ue serious for those shipments. "I do not anticipate much trouble in this direction," said one merchant on Saturday. "First of all, the strike cannot bo long drawn out, and again it would not bo impossible to get coal supplies in France. Tho worst feature of the striko would be the interruption of tho %r»rkots." According to. advico received by the New Zealand Shipping Cejnpauy on Saturday the steamer Opawa, from New Zealand, still had 1000 carcasses on board, and there was a possibility of the vessel not being able to get coal. This difficulty, however, will probably have been overcome before this appears.

The.Port of London Authority notifies an increase of port dues, amounting to 75 per cent, from Monday, pending a revision of tariffs in detail. More than half tho motor buses have ceased running. Mr. Samuel, Postmaster-General, stated in the Houso of Commons that the Government was taking tho fullest stops to safeguard London's food supplies. Messrs. Peak, Frcan, ami Co.'s biscuit factory has closed, throwing idle 2500 hands" Hardly a factory in Bermondfry is. open. Many ore closing through failure fa obtain coal supplies.