DOCKERS’ STRIKE.

Hokitika Guardian, 19 February 1924, Page 2

DOCKERS’ STRIKE.

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION THE MEN DETERMINED. LONDON, Fob. 17. The National Strike Committee has issued a bulletin which says that the reports from all the districts are splendid. The men are determined everywhere. The delegates' conference decision has been honoured at all the ports, where the “safety" men have been allowed to continue work. but they may do so only so long as “Blacklegs” are not introduced. LONDON. Feh. 17. It is expected the dock strike at the outset will effect 120.000 men. hut that it will quickly involve other unions, A meeting of the transport workers at Oloiicester passed a resolution in favour of Mr .MacDonald using the Oovernineiit's emergency pnwers, and taking full control of all shipping docks, and paying the increase in wages the dockers asked, until tho strike is settled. LONDON. Feh. IS. The dockets' leaders denounce lhe decision of the stevedores as an attempt to blackleg on the dockers. They describe the stevedores' proposal to work on the “ca canny” system as being as despicable as anything ill the history of dock disputes.

A RENT STRIKE. LONDON. Feh. 19

A threatened sequel to tlie duck trouble is a strike of BLOW tenants in Poplar, who have been asked to declare a rcift strike if the dockers’ demands are not conceded within a week. EM PLOVERS’ A IM. LONDON. Feb. 18. Mr F. Allen, on lsdialf of the employers. state that the giving of the second shilling would involve a burden on the industry amounting to millions of pounds from increased wages in numerous directions. The lilting ot the dockers’ wage would be a signal foi a general rising of wages throughout the country. The men bluntly rejected everv compromise the employers put forward. AN EPOCHAL STRIKE. LONDON. I Teh. 18. Rt Hon Mr Hodges, Civil Lord of the Admiralty, speaking in Wales, admitted that the strike of the dockers would embarrass the Government, hut he said such stoppages were inevitable, It was clear a year ago that the men in many industries had reached rock bottom, and wore awaiting for an opportunity to lift wages. “My sympathies” he said, “arc entirely with the workmen, who are struggling for a living wage.” Mr Ben Tilletl. M.P., speaking atEast ham, said: “The dockers must not lie worried about the stevedores. All that the latter had ever gut was through the dockers. T his would l>e an epoch-making strike. It would nicest the dry rut. They had to knock out the employers. FOOD SITUATION. LONDON. Fob. 19. The authorities announce the supplies of food are larger than normal, and the Ministry of Transport is ready to carry food to any district where a local shortage is feared. Ten Australian boats are now in London, or are due to arrive. I hey have about one hundred and eleven thousand carcases ot lamb, fifteen thousand carcases ol mutton, and forty-four thousand six hundred cases of butter.

The New Zealand boats docking have 230.000 boxes of butter, and 240.000 crates of cheese. The chief difficulty threatening is the South African fruit, whereof 100,000 cases have been landed, and another ICO CO) ca:-ot are due. : ? r Tver, r_r,> r;TCL££•£.. LONDON, lob. 18. A surprising move yesterday in the dock strike was the decision of the National Stevedores’ Union in favour of a “stay in” strike. This union, however, is a rival organisation to the Transport Workers’ Union. It claims t<> have twenty thousand members at the port of London, and represents all lightermen and fifty per cent, of the dockers.

The members of the Stevedores Executive declared as a result of ibis policy, more chaos will result in the Port of London in 48 hours than had their Union struck, and they will speedily obtain recognition. Tho General Secretary of the Stevedores’ Union, in a speech at a mass meeting of memlters of the lotion at Bermondsey, recommended a “stay in” strike. He asked why they should punish their wives, children, and themselves by striking during severe weather, and playing the game of the employers and of other unions. He adtled that the negotiations were not yet all over. He believed tho Minister of Labour, and the Prime Minister were moving in the direction of bringing about an agreement between all parties. The policy which the Stevedores' Union has proposed, he said, was quite new in industrial strife. He hoped they would carry it out for at least the first three days of the week. Thereafter, if necessary, it could he changed. Other speakers claimed the Stevedores’ Union controlled the Port of London. They said their message to Mr Bovin was :“Hands off! London! Keep to the provinces with your strike action." They were not going to ho dragged at the heels of Mr Bovin. They did not intend to pull chestnuts out of the lire for someone else, hut would adopt an original policy. Thenpolicy was the Asquithian method of “wait and see.”

MR MacDOXALD’S INTENTION LONDON, Feb. 18.

It is understood Mr MacDonald, during the week-end at Chequers, has boon studying the situation as to the docks. He will consult the Cabinet to-day regarding the desirability of intervening to bring about a settlement.