THE TRANSPORT STRIKE

Hokitika Guardian, 28 March 1924, Page 2

THE TRANSPORT STRIKE

[Recteus Telec. hams.] FEARS OF TUBES. LONDON, Ala roll 27. There is now threatened a tube railway strike in sympathy with the trammen. This has placed, the Government in a quandary, especially as a tube strike may involve the electricians. The general opinion is that the. Government cannot allow all the services to fail in the metropolis, and must at least assist the tube managers to maintain a skeleton service as during the post-war strike. The Government have also the right to invoke the Emergency Bowers Act which would allow the Government to take control of the trams, buses and tubes.

Mr Bevin, interviewed by the “Daily Herald” says:—Air MacDonald would receive public gratitude il lie stepped in and co-ordinated the London services and pai l the men their demands. Air Ben Smith and other Labour leaders liave enunciated the same view. The Labour Ministry is in a difficult position in an industrial dispute. This was shown in a debate in the House oi Commons which Air Bridgeman initiated, and wherein he urged that the man in the street was in the position of a football being kicked by both sides. Air Tom Shaw (Labour Alinistor) agreed that the public should he considered. The more, be said, that the searchlight of public opinion was shed on disputes, and the sooner that both sides would recognise that the countiy is greater than either of them, the better it would be. Ho said. 699.900 working days bad been lest in February through disputes. MV Shaw added that in the last three strikes, if tho employers’ offer had been made quickly, instead of slowly, the strikes would not have occurred. He appealed to the employers to speed up their offers, and the workers would quickly decide, in order to give conciliation or arbitration a chance, before a dispute occurred. Air Ben Tillet said lie regretted the public hardships consequent, on the striking, but lie asked the House of Coiniiinoers not to press the Government to take action. Mr J. R. Clynes. replying to the debate. warned the critics that compulsion could not be easily enforced oil strikers. It liiigbt widen the struggle. “Those recurring difficulties,” be said, “arc tlic ordinary symptoms of a disordered State. Tf the doctrine of outlaws were to lie pushed to its full length it must extend to the profiteers and other exploiters.”