TRANSPORT STRIKE.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1451, 28 May 1912, Page 5

TRANSPORT STRIKE.

CONCILIATION REJECTED. EFFORT TO PROTECT MEAT CARGOES, By Telegraph-Press Association-Copyright (Bee. May 27, 11 p.m.) London, May 27. The transport strikers' manifesto accuses tho masters of breaking their pledges not ' to exercise pressure by preference in selecting their men; of victimising trades unionists; of ignoring their agreements; and of flouting conciliatory unions while important employers wcro endeavouring to crush the unions. The Strike Committee has decided to give facilities to maintain the refrigerators on shipboard end in the cold storage warehouses. Sir George Askwith, head of the Board of Trade Labour Department, prior to tho strike, wroto to the Master Lightermen's Association suggesting the appointment of a Conciliation Board. The association declined on tho ground that such an expedient had previously been tried and had failed to secure a lasting settlement. A gathering of 100,000 transport workers has held a demonstration in Trafalgar Square. The speakers demanded a uniform rate' of tenpence an hour with an overtime rato of fourteen pence. It was decided not to resume until the grievances were satisfied. Two thousand members of the Bnildi.ig Trades Union, employed by the Port of London Authority, nro considering the question of joining tho transport vorkers in order to secure tatter terms. The navvies at tho Milwall Dock have already stiuck. Tho masters have agreed again to submit the dispute to Sir Albert Rollitt, who made the awartl in August. Mr. M'Kejina, Home Secretary, has promised to protect the members of the Meat Carriers' Association in conveying meat from the markets. PREFERENCE TO UNIONISTS, EMPLOYERS' VIEW. London, May 2G. The shipowners of London have.issued a statement declaring that during negotiations in, 1011 the men's representatives distinctly disclaimed the demand that only unionists should be employed and that Mr. John Burns, President of tho Local Government Board, had begged tlw owners not to insist insertion of a clause specifically mentioning the fact, as a previous agreement covered tho point. Tho strike is causing concern at Aldershot owing •to 'there . being insufficient meat for the troops attending the Territorial Whitsuntide training camp. The military authorities are preparing to eend troops to handle foodstuffs if necessary. The carmen demand a sixty Lours' week and an increase in wages.