IN IRELAND.

Hokitika Guardian, 26 May 1920, Page 2

IN IRELAND.

illy Electric 'telegraph—Copyright,

IRISH RAILWAYMEN

, LONDON, May 24. The latest development in the Irish situation is a refusal by the Irish raiiwaymen to work the trains conveying the Government arms, munitions, ana military stores. The raiiwaymen also refuse to carry Sinn Pein prisoners. They have based their refusal on tlie refusal of the British raiiwaymen tc handle British munitions for Poland a use against Russia.

The Irish raiiwaymen declare tin;, they have equal rights with those of Britain to prevent the distribution of munitions to kill Irishmen.

, Thus far parties of the soldiers have been employed as stevedores to unload the munitions .from the ships which the dockers refuse to handle.

It is expected that the 'lrish’ signalmen and ail the other Irishmen will strike if the military engineers are used to drive the trains. Much will depend on whether the Executive of the British National Union of Raiiwaymen approves of the action of the Irishmen. Thus far, a reply from Mr Thomas, j head of the British raiiwaymen, has not been received by the Irish raiiwaymen. The Irish raiiwaymen refused to j carry some Sinn Feiners being taken ! as prisoners to Sligo gaol. j A military lorry was then used, but 1 there were felled trees and stone barricades blocking ail the roads aronnd Ballinamore. The lorry only reached Sligo with the greatest difficulty.