MAY DAY STRIKES

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 186, 3 May 1920, Page 5

MAY DAY STRIKES

WIDESPREAD STOPPAGE OF WORK MANY 1 LABOUR DEMONSTRATIONS IN EUROPE, AFRICA, AND AMERICA (By Telegraph-Press tesociation-OoDyrteM London, April 29. 1 There are indications that seven or eight million workers in Britain will strike on May 1 to celebrate Labour Day. The leaders explain that the object is to give prominence to' tho importance of Labour without inconveniencing the public. The railways, tramways, and other essential services will bo uninterrupted. .The workers in many of the biggest industries are taking a day's holiday to take part in elaborate processions.' Speeches will be made from twenty platforms in Hyde Park. Tho idea originated in France, where preparat.ons have, been made for a most extensive strike. The Socialists in _Germany have determined upon a national holiday.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. , (Rec. May 2, 11 p.m.) London, May 1. The fact that May Day fell on' Saturday, necessitating the loss of only half a day's pay, undoubtedly contributed to tho widespread nature of the stoppage of work, but at present it is impossible to say whether the earlier forecast of the extent of the stoppage is fully justified. It is noteworthy tliatmatiy colliers and others in Lancashire and Yorkshire protested against the idleness. Meetings in most'of the mining areas demanded the nationalisation of the mines.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

MAY DAY STRIKE IN FRANCE GOVERNMENT CONTROLLING COMMUNICATIONS. Paris, April 30. With a view to defeating May Day strikes, the Government is taking con-, trol of all the underground and other communications, so as to assure the carriage and distribution'of food. Many people have left for the country for fear of riots.'' The Government does not fear serious outbreaks, but has assembled troops and authorised the use of ball cartridge. The General Federation of Labour is supporting the railway strike, which will possibly continue for a week.—"The Times." , ~ PREPARATIONS TO MEET DISORDER. (Rec. May 2, 11 p.m.) Paris, 1 May 1. Contrary to expectations the morniuj and afternoon, with a single exception, passed quietly. The strike on the State railways is practically complete, but other railways are running normal cervices. Reports from the provinces state that all are calm. ; services in the Paris underground and motor bases were maintained by students. The police were reinforced and armed, and military in strength are within call if needed.—Aus.. N.Z. Cable Assn. , (Rec. May 3, 1.15 a.m.) . Paris, May 1 Strikers in the Place do la Republiqne attempted to interfere with the motor buses. Disorder ensued, and some shots were fired,, bnt thero were no casualties. It is reported that twenty were arrested. -Aus.tN.Z. Cable Assn.

DEMONSTRATIONS IN SOUTH AFRJCA MODERATE AND'EXTREMIST SPLIT IN CAPE TOAVN. (Rec. May 2, 5.5 p.m.) Cape Town, May 1. Mar Day was generally observed for tho first tune throughout the Union as Labour Day. .Factories and' work-shops-were closed and. there were demonstrations in all the larger towns. At Cape Town the demonstration characterised a significant split between tho moderate and extremist- sections. ' The latter organised a procession aud mass meeting aud prepared resolutions .affirming- the impending dissolution of the. present system-of society, based on privato ownership, and pledging the workers to prepare to carry on production during the period of collapse entailed through the transformation from a t'icratorsliip to a co-operato commonwealth. Most of the Labour members announced that they would speak from tho various platforms, but learning ..the, tenns of the resolution withdrew from participation' in tho demonstration and none appeared on the platforms. Owing to a downpour of rain the resolutions wero merely put, no, . speeches being made—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn: •

QUIET CELEBRATIONS IN AMERICA

NUMBER OF RADICALS AERESTED.

(Rec. May 2, 5.5 p.m.) Washington, May 1. May Day was celebrated quietly. Tho Chicago police arrested 300 Radicals as a precautionary measure, following tho State Department'sNannounceroent that prominent .officials' N lives had ken threatened.. The Department of Justice claims that the preventive _ measures, wiiich were effective, disclosed that large . amounts from Russia and Amsterdam had been received by. Communist and anarchist parties in the United'States.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. rThe Attorney-General (Mr. -A., M. Palmer) announced, that the Reds had marked a large number of State and Federal officials and • other prominent mei for assassination on May 1, as part of a general strike demonstration.! GENERAL STOPPAGE" IN BERLIN (Rec. May 3, 1.15 a.m.) ' Berlin, May 1. Despib the National, Assembly's oppo-, sition May Day celebrations were held. Factories, offices, and shops were closed. Traffic, with the exception of tho railways, was suspended. Numerous Socialist meetings were held.—Ausi-N.Z. Cable Assn. ■■. ' , / 5 . celebrationsln RUSSIA (Reo. May 3, 1.15 a.m.) Copenhagen, May 1. A Moscow wireless message states that Russia is celebrating' May Day. Voluntary work in factories began earlier than usual.-Aus.-N.Z, Cable Assn. ■•■. STRIKERSIORESTALLED GENERAL' HOLIDAY PROCLAIMED.' (Reo. May 3, 1.15 a.m.) , Prague, May 1. The Government forestalled the strikers by, proclaiming a general holiday in Czecho-Slovakin—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn - FRENCH RAILWAY STRIKE « MEN NOT UNANIMOUS. . (Rec. May 2, 11 p.m.) Paris, May 1.. The French dockers and ships' crews nave decided to' strike in sympathy with the railwaynien, The. general impression is that the strike will be a failuro unless the Confederation of Labour supports it by declaring a'general strike, vlien the position would become serious. There is a great conflict o£ opinion amongst railwaynien, thousands resigning from the unions as a protest against the extromists.-Ans.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

STRIKE SUPPORTED BY LABOUR FEDERATION SECESSION OF SEVERAL .UNIONS. (Reo. May 2, 11 p.m.) Parisi May 1. The General Federation of Labour supports tho French rnilwaynieii's decision to .ilrikn for tlio nationalisation of transport, and is considering steps to assist ."■■ riiilwaymeii. It appeals -for tho solidarity and discipline of all workors. The French newspapers almost unanimously condemn the strike, and consider it Is doomed to failure. The .Minister

of Public Works is optimistic that the movement will collapse. The Government is assured of essential services. ..It is reported that three of the secretaries of the Railwaymen's Federation have been, arrested for intimidations. There are divisions within the federation. Several unions have separated from it, and formed new organisations. Many Parisians have left the city,, fearing riots—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. LONDON RAILWAYMEN'S DEMANDS RESOLUTION TO "WORK TO ' RULE." London, April 30. The London branches of tho railwaymen's organisations, - embracing 50,000 men, resolved ou Saturday to "work, to rule" until they receive the full extra pound a week demanded. This variant ■of tho "stay-in" strike will result in serious dislocation and delay of traffic and complete confusion. in the service. Similar resolutions were passed in ■Liverpool, Manchester, Glasgow and Carlisle. The movement is not supported by tho trades union officials; The "work to Title" strike, if carried' out, is expected to result in chaos and comic opera effects at the London stations, as the rule book contains 300 pages. A typical rule instructs guards to obtain from stationmasters the :ntimation "all right", before Starting a train, and to see that, every door la shut—Ans.-N.Z. Cable Assn. SOUTH WALES" MINERS REVERSE DECISION TO STRIKE. ' . " (Rec. May 2, 11 p.m.) London, April 30. The South Wales miners' conference, reversed the decision to strike on Monday .-Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. COTTON-WORKERS DISPUTE NEGOTIATIONS FAIL. (Rec. May 2, 11 p.m.) London, April 30. Negotiations with the cotton workers failed to effect a settlement.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn..

4 RAILWAY STRIKE IN ITALY (Rec. May 2, 11 p.m.) Rome, May. 1. May Day in Italy was celebrated by a twenty-four-hour railway strike. There was abstention of work in most .towns, the shops being shut and the factories closed.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable. Assn. NEWSPAPERS STOP PUBLICATION. - (Rec. May 3, 1.15 a.m.) . ■ Rome, May 1. No newspapers are being published. It is not known yet whether the railway strike will be general—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. , GRAVE SITUASIN FINLAND . (Rec. May 3, l.lo'a.mi) Copenhagen, May 1. Grave events are feared in Finland. A general strike threatens. Already there have been several conflicts between the workers and the police. Proclamations have been.issued urging the proletariat to fight against the reaction-aries—Aus.-N.Z'. Cable Assn. . , GENERAL,STRIKE IN SPAIN (Rec. May 2, 11 p.m.) . ' Madrid, April 30. The general strike in Spain is; spreading, and the situation is becoming more -Serious. Several d'sturbances have occurred.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. 44-hour-weTk"proposal INQUIRY BY SPECIAL TRIBUNAL RECOMMENDED. , . Sydney,' May 1. The Central Council of the Employers' Federations in the Commonwealth is submitting a recommendation to the Federal and State Governments for the appointment of a special tribunal, consisting of a Judge of each State, to inquire into the forty-four-hour week proposal.—Press Assn:

...M0 SATURDAY WORK CESSATION OF BUILDING OPERATIONS. (Reo. May 2;'5.5 p.m.) -. ■ Sydney, May 2., '' Building trades, both in Sydney aiid JMbourne, were practically at a standstill yesterday, owing'to tho workers' decision againsh Saturday work. On a few jobs the men continued without interference, tho decwion of the Buildiug Trades' Vigilance Committee to picket jobs'not being in force—Press Assn. ACT ELIMINATION OP OBJECTIONABLE CLAUSES PROPOSED. Sydney, May 1. A conference, representing sixty-eight unions,- considering- the Arbitration Act, has appointed a committee to draw up proposals''to submit to the Government. It is proposed to amend the Aot so as to eliminate objectionable clausesPress . '■■ ■ ,