LONDON BUS STRIKE

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 93, 6 May 1937, Page 5

LONDON BUS STRIKE

Tramwaymen May Taka Action (Received 6, 1 0-30 a.m,) LONDONO, May 5. The Minister of Labour, Mr Ernest Browq, has reported to Cabinet the latqst phases of the buB strike. Meaii* while, concern has arisen as a result of the tramwaymen and trojley-busmen having asked the Transport Union executive to grant them plenary powers to take strjct action in order to draw attention tq their working conditions. The secretary says that if this is rafusqd, ^the mon are likely to act unofficially, because they are upset at the fact" of the busmen thinking they are !blaQklegeing.', Such ill-feeling must be corrected. ' A deputatiqn wiU wait on the General Secretary of the Transport Workers' Uniou, Mr ErneSt Bevin, to-night. The infiltratiou ,pf people to inspect the Coronation decorations which are not yet complete, is adding to the city's traffic congestipn, which again to-day proceeded at a snail's pace in the West End, despite the absence of the buses. The qrqwding of the fubes geemed worse, the morning running schedules appreciahly slowing. Better organisation at the tube stations prevented a repetition of yesterday's imprisonment and the carying on of ahghting passengers by 'swarms oi people strijggling to board the trains. Mr T, E- Thomas, general manager of the Rcad Transport Board, said tnat the cost of readjustment as demanded by the men would be £650,000 per annum. Lord Ashfield informed the inquiry that the Transport Board had faijed to secure sufficient income to discharge its liabilities, the hoiders of . C stock drawing only 4 per cent. interest, instead of the standard rate of 5§. If the board failed to fplfil its obligations it must face possible legal action and the appointment qf a receiver. A later message says that Mr Ernest Bevin, qffer a.conferenpe with a depu' tation of tramway anfi. trolley-bus men, issued a statement that he had instructed them to remain at work, the executive desiring that the, preoent dispute be limited to the Central Jxmdon busmen.