RAILWAY STOPPAGE

Hokitika Guardian, 30 September 1919, Page 3

RAILWAY STOPPAGE

(By Electric Telegraph— CopynguO UUSTKI MAN & N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION!

LATE REPORT. LONDON, Sept. 28. Sunday night’s reports on the strike go to show that from the London termini there was little railway traffic. The reports show that an exceeding y limited number of trains ran during The later indicated that there was a probability of their proyiding some extension of these sei vices to-morrow.

STRIKERS MISTAKE. (Received this day at 8 a.m.) LONDON, Septemebr 29There is little doubt that the strikers under-estimated the Government’s preparations for the delivery of food to the community. Government also were assisted by large stocks. At least h - teen weeks’ supply of fpod is now m store in Britain. Coal stocks arc also fairly satisfactory, there being at least nine weeks’' supply. The most difficult problem will probably er e long be food but the fact is that many big industries in the north are highly vulnerable and require daily renewal of chemicals and coal. This specially applies, to the ironworks, but the cotton mills should be able to continue with the aid ot road transport.

A NEW GEORGE.

A RANK SOCIALIST.

SOCIAL REVOLUTION PROPOSED. ■(Received This Dav at 11.20. a.m.) { LONDON, September 20. A remarkable article, featured in the) “Daily Herald’’ is attracting attention. It was written by W. L. George, a prominent extremist, and outlines r scheme for Unionists to take over the management of the country in the event of riots and use of troops. The am. « r asks every Union branch to meet on Tuesday and appoint 'a delegate to a local labour emergency committee which should meet on the following night and-prepare to supersede local authorities and also to select delegates to a country committee which should next night arrange to take over prisons, food, police, transport control,, appointing further delegates to the central peoples committee which should sit at. Westminster on Triday to determine the I distribution of the highest functions,»nd " Hake over the national and foreign policies. Mr George adds that if the Railwaymen’s strike is meanwhile settled labour will not have wasted the time in such a useful practice of drill for soldiers of a social revolution. No response its expected to these revolutionary biddings though a distinct current of anxiety runs through tic moderate leaders speeches.

ENORMOUS TRAFFIC. (Received this day at 12.25 p.ml ./ •, LONDON, Sept. 28. Roads converging on London are crowded by thousands like Derby Day. There are dense blocks of traffic on London, Westminister and other bridges, while the Thames Embankment is . densely packed with vehicles. For fifteen miles outside London the main roads are thronged with all sorts of vehicle traffic. Thousands of people walked four to six miles. There is excellent police regulation and fine weather serves to keep the public good tempered, but there is a bitterness against the lightning strike. Shops have plenty of food.”

Several flights by aeroplanes carrying continental and provincial mails have been arranged. The Post Office is making special arrangements to catch the Osterley at Toulon this week, with a supplementary mail.

OTHER PREPARATIONS. (Received this day at 12.25 p.m) LONDON, Sept. 29,

Destroyers are conveying troops to important centres, also conveying some mails. The position of the underground railways is more hopeful. The power stations are being manned by volunteers. Mr Thomas announces that no direct or indirect negotiations for settlement have been inaugurated.

The newspapers generally regret Hon Lloyd George’s reference to anarchists. There is no disposition to blame the rank and file of the railwaymen who according to the constitution had no option but to strike when instructed by the executive. The blame centres on the leaders for what an overwhelming majority of the public consider is a war against the community.