CHALLENGE TO THE STRIKERS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 2, 27 September 1918, Page 5

CHALLENGE TO THE STRIKERS

RAILWAY CRISIS IN BRITAIN | I ■ j

GOVERNMENT PREPARED FOR

STRONG "ACTION

London',- September 25. Though tho strike situation was threatening yesterday.', afternoon, : its sudden extension' to-day was a -complete surprise to "tlie : authorities and .tho public, as it was believed that the recent generosity of the Government/ towards tho railwaymen was! generally recognised. The strike is almost wholly, •confined to the drivers .and firemen, who continue to. demand 10s. advance, "though their union Has 'definitely accepted ss. ..rsv.f Sir Albert Stanley announces that the Government has called upon tho naval and military authorities to the railways to carry on 'the services necessary for the transportation of munitions,and supplies, and says "the Gov-, ernmont will not reopen negotiations with tho strikers." Sir Albert Stanley (President of the Board of Trade) stated that the War Cabinet is deterj mined not to alter the settlement reached last week, which the Tailwaymen'g representatives approved. . It. is officially stated "that.- the Gov j ernment takes a sorious view of th« strike, and is prepared to act drastically. Tho Government' feels sure it will have the support of the publio and of loyal and is prepared to'give the latter military proteotion if it is required; The' strikers have flouted the Government, tho people, and their own representatives, completely ignoring the interests of tho country. The men have been treated generously, and it only remains for ths Government to see that their action doe-saß little harm as Latest information is .that practically the entire Great Western system' is affected, with small portions of ths North-Western, South-Western, and Midland. The London employees of the Great Western and North London railways have joined the strike, dislocating suburban traffic, many workers being unable to reach their work. The storm' centre is in South Wales, where there are 80,000 strikers. The same number of miners is idle in consequence. There is general condemnation of the strike by the rest of the community. His railway men at Cardiff and Carmarthen have desided to return'to .Trork;" pending a settlement. Many soldiers on leave are unable to return' to the front, and. thousands of munition workers jti the Black Country are prevented roach-' ing the factories. Goods/ traffic has ceased. The Great Western, Midland, and .North-Westeni railways are affected to a less extent. —Aus.-N.Z. Cahla Assn.

STRIKERS CONDEMNED BY MR. J.H,' | ' ..... .THOMAS . ~-j WILL RESIGN'TIIE SECRDTAUT- j SHIP OF THE RAILWAYMAN. , (Rec. September 26, 8.30 p.m.) London, September 25. It is estimated tliat 120,000, miner* 60,000 munition workers,' and ; 40,000 steel workers are idle in . Wales alone. The strike continues to extend. NortJi . of . London tlio railways are entirely closed, while other suburban.lines ara '■ i badly hampered. There is a-complete j stoppage of traffic from TiMry docks. j Troops are taking charge of the South ] Wales railways. The first four contin- I gents of six hundred whioh arrived at ; Newport wero cheered. ' Mr. J. H. Thomas, M.P., seoretary , to the railway men, addressing a mass j meeting of strikers at Cardiff said: ' . "You have shattered all our prestige j and all my influence. I 'will soe this : through and tlien. oease' to _be jour general Mcreary.''—Aus.-N.Z. Cable j AfiSll.-. i"> ', ■ i ' , !

CARDIFF MEN RETURNING TO WORK SEQUEL TO A MASS MEETING. (Rec. September' 26, 9.55 p.m.) - London, September 25. ; A masß meeting of railway men at Cardiff unanimously decided to return to< work immediately.-—Aub.-N.Z. Cable Assn. . - V.- ' -'