The Big Strike

Hokitika Guardian, 12 May 1926, Page 2

The Big Strike

TALK OF CONFERRING, TRANSPORT IMPROVING. SECOND WEEK OF STRIKE. [Australian & N.Z. Cable Association.] LONDON,. May 10. The best feature of the opening of the second week of the strike, is a. great increase in the number of buses on each of which policemen are mounted on the petrol tank. Some that have windows were netted but none were molested. The reappearance of the General Omnibus Company’s big rod buses partially restored some ot London’s normal appearance. There were dozens of small disturbances throughout the country but London remains calm.

Industrial and political Labourites are conferring to-night. It is believed they are endeavouring to formulate a plan acceptable to all to return in order to permit a resumption of negotiations. THREE TRAIN ACCIDENTS., LONDON, -May 10, Throe railway accident occurred today and a passanger and goods train collided in n tunnel approaching Edinburgh. two persons being killed and eight injured, while six passengers and several rescuers were gassed. A goods train collided with a passenger train at Bishop Stowford, Herefordshire. derailing an engine and coaches. One person was killed. The Edinburgh train bound for London was derailed near Newcastle, one person being injured. KING AND ADVISERS. LONDON, May 9. The King held a council in Buckingham Bailee. Earl Balfour, the Attor-ney-General and the Homo Secretary were present. Six thousand special constables are being enrolled daily. TR ANSPORT IAI PROVES. LONDON, May 10. Though the necessity is ever increasing for convoy system, in order to secure free movement of food supplies, the Chief Civil Commissioner is able to pay a noteworthy trib ito to the general peace and security of • iheVcouutry. He says: “Throughout > the length and breadth of the British - Isles,( there is no serious disorder, no - bloodshed, wounding or looting.” 3 Yesterday’s armed convoy for flour • was repeated to-day, 130 lorries, with 3 armed soldiers sitting on the sacks ) flanked by armoured cars and dth a squadron of cavalry in the rear, j ass--3 ed the inflammable dock area, ;ml 1 peacefully dumped the cargo in Hyde ? Park.

The “British Worker” publishes a protest against sixteen armoured cars escorting food lorries from the docks to Hyde Park. It says: “The object of this ridiculous demonstration -s to make people believe that the strike lias violent revolutionary aims. As a matter of fact the lorries are as safe as ordinary traffic at ordinary times. LONDON SCENES. LONDON, May 10. Despite a close approach to normal, evidences of the strike are not missing from the streets. The whole West End was thrilled at the busiest hour to-day when a. convoy of food lorries stretching from Hyde Park to Oxford Circus threaded its way through Oxford Street loaded with foodstuffs. Soldiers, in full equipment, were sitting, in the lorries, and in the convoy were two armoured cars, with business-like machine guns pointing in all directions. There were also two special lorry loads of troops. It was a thrilling example of the Government’s determination to transport vital supplies. Tile whole procession was most peaceful, but obviously most business-like and effective. On arriving at Hyde Park, the troops concentrated, and then returned by lorry to the docks. Two lorries were observed being towed, suggesting some interference, though none has been officially recorded . 40 WORKERS- HURT. LONDON. May 10. Perhaps the most serious riots of the week end was one at Camdentown. There the police charged the mob, which was hurling stones at some City buses passing through. There were seven arrests. Forty people were taken to the hospital. The crowd was only suppressed after difficulty. Evidence given in Woolwich Police Court revealed a dastardly effort on Sunday night to lire the fuel works of the Medatiiy Oil Coy., Charlton. A crowd of eight hundred people marched to the works, where two hundred thousand gallons of petrol and kerosene were stored. The crowd were shouting “Let's burn the place down!” The police charged the crowd with batons, and for twenty minutes there was fierce fighting.. The prisoners taken were remanded, hail being refused them. PEACE AIuVES. LONDON, May 10. The lobbyist of the “Daily Telegraph,” which is now appearing in pamphlet form, says: “There has been considerable activity behind the scenes in the House of Commons to-night, betokening an effort on the part of Labour to discover means of ending the deadlock. The momentary desire appears to he to find a formula acceptable to the Government and to the miners, which will enable a resumption of the negotiations. The trouble seems to lie to secure any concessions from the miners as to the point of wage reductions, and there are unofficial mediators who are uncertain about the outcome of their efforts. Air Howes expressed the opinion that it may he possible within twenty-four or at least within forty-eight hours, to determine whether something can he done. If the present attempt fails, it is feared that the struggle will continue lor some time.

All is quiet early this morning. There is no further news available regarding the Labourites’ Conference, but a new development is reported in another direction. It is understood that the lit. Hon. Sir Herbert Samuel, the Chairman of the Coal Commission, has returned to London, and has been in touch with the miners and the mine owners, in view of the possibility of an agreement which will enable the Trades Union Council to call oif tlie strike.

There have been frequent Ministerial comings and gomgs at Buckingham Palace. These lfave occasioned a rumour that His Majesty is intervening in the strike, but a prompt denial lias been forthcoming from authoritative quarters, who point out that the Home Secretary (Sir W. Joynson Hicks) is a frequent visitor to the Palace in pursuance of his duties to keep the King informed of the situation. Ml XTSTERS QUESTIONED. I.OXDOX. May 10. in the Commons the Ministers were inundated with questions arising out of the strike.

They gave denials to the statements that the officer in charge at Newcpstje

has appealed to the Trades Council for help, because he has lost control of the situation.

Air Churchill, answering queries- regarding the pepper supplies, said an arrangement was in progress for the manufacture of pepper.

GOVERNMENT’S PAPER. LONDON, Afay 10. Afr W. Churchill, in Parliament, " said that the importation of newsprint is increasing. The circulation of the “ British Gazette,” said Mr Churchill, had made large demands on the existing supplies. It would he unwise to hamper the one and only present means of giving the public authentic inform- ___ ntioii. The “Gazette,” he claimed, would remain impartial as between employers and employees, but the Go\ernment could not be impartial as between the State and a section of the subjects, with whom it was contending. Air Churchill was then heckled regarding the news published iffHfho “Gazette” and the news that has omitted from the “ Gazette.” Air Lloyd George wanted to know why the suggestions for conciliation and for a settlement were not published.

Why, asked Air Lloyd George, was not the Archbishop of Canterbury s important letter (already cabled) not broadcasted ?

Afr Churchill said: Considering the great difficulties under which the “Gazette ” is published, mistakes of omission and commission could not be avoided. The Archbishop of Canterbury's letter was published as soon as possible, I He added: “All the papers could resume! The Labour Party has only to raise its finger!” Sir AVm Jovnsoir Hicks (Home AJ blister) defended the constables and volunteers against the charges of undue violence and of compelling attacks to lie made upon lorries conveying foodstuffs. The Covent Garden opera has opened with Afozart’s “Figaro.” Despite tho strike, there was a crowded house. WELSH STRIKERS. REPORTED TO BE AWAKENING. LONDON, May 10. A Cardiff correspondent reports everywhere in South Wales there are signs of the strike collapsing. Numerous tramwaymen, railwaymen, electricians, dockers and printers are returning to duty. The strike will probably completely collapse by the end of the week. RIVAL PAPERS. LONDON, May 10. The Government has now taken over the “ Argus ” printing works to meet the demand for the “British Gazette.” This is resulting in a piquant situation, as the “ Argus ” is next door to the Labour “ Daily Herald,” where the “British AA’orlccr ” is printed. LONDON, May 10. The “Daily Express” announces:— “So many of our employees have applied for reinstatement that the directors arc contemplating the re-issue of tho paper in its usual form. They aro prepared to consider an unconditional application for reinstatement from tho strikers.” OFFICIAL REPORT. LONDON, May 10. The latest officiiil communique states: The situation in the whole county is well maintained. Arrangements .for the distribution of milk, food, and petrol are to-day more successful than on any other diiv of the strike, and promise to improve continuously. The unloading and transportation of commodities is approaching normaU&*K It may he generally stated the Government emergency arrangements have settled down, and are working thoroughly.

The position as to the supply of light and power is satisfactory. The railway services have improved. One fifth of the regular staffs of tl.o railway companies are working. The disturbances are few, but where they have occurred they Rave shown signs of becoming sharper. Nevertheless there is no cause for anxiety. The police havo complete control. LONDON, May 10.

A pleasant surprise as regards transport is tile reappearance of scores of buses operating on norir.nl routes, instead of special limited circular routes, the week-end respite having permitted the training of many voltmeters. it is noticeable too that the protection of drivers lias now been allocated to special constables, instead of to uniformed men.

The return of these buses was associated with some humour. AA’ritten in chalk across some were noticed sucli tilings as “Non-stop to Hong Kong, ’ and “Helen B. Merry.” WORKERS’ SEEK SETTLEMENT. LONDON, May 10. An open-air meeting of the strikers at AVitney carried a resolution calling upon the Government to re-open the negotiations, and urging the Trade Union Council to call off the general strike as the one hope of a settlement. Everybody is still asking: “How long is it going to last?” Though nobody has the faintest idea yet, many think this week will provide an acid test of the strikers’ resolve. LONDON, -May 10. The industrial and political Labourites are conferring to-night. It is believed they are endeavouring to formulate a plan acce}-table to all round in order to permit of a resumption of negotiations. The Trade Union Council also coinphiins it never received a reply to its offer to the Government to assist in the distribution of food supplies. In some cases local bodies arranged with the lo:al strike committees, which issued permits for food carriage. The Government has now ordered these permits to he withdrawn.

The Trade Union Council states that a military cordon has been drawn round the London dock area, and it urges strikers to keep out of the area and thus avoid conflict with the military.

STRIKE EXTENDS. LONDON,' May 11. The Labourites report that the side ami the Clyde shipbuilders now to he called out. j This is tiie only indication of the extension of the strike at present. Jj There have now been two and a-lialf ■ million out of four and a-lialf million trade unionists called out on strike.

It is possible that the Trade Union Council realises that the calling out of further trades, excepting remaining vital services, such as gas, electricity, and the postal workers, would weaken the workers’ powers of carrying ’on the struggle, and would decrease the contributions to the strike fund. Six thousand Bradford dyers have been called out. because the dye works transporters resumed work. OUTSIDE SUPPORT. -MEXICO CITY. Mnv 11.

The miners have decided not to iit-'/H crease their normal output, lest the surplus should reach Britain. The port workers here declare they will not permit any ships to load coal for England if it is attempted. COPENHAGEN, May 10.' The Danish Trade Union Congress have decided to send the British Trade Unions fifty thousand kroner weekly as long as the strike lasts. PARIS, In conformity with the Op’J^Becis

sions, the National Federation of Maritime Unions and Port Dock labourers have issued instructions forbidding any unemployed seamen to serve on British ships. '■ The French seamen refuse to work French coal ships for England, and arc ordering the workers not to coal or victual British vessels. IX THE PROVINCES. ' LONDON, May 10. There is a general improvement not confined to London as from the provinces comes reports of a resumption of public facilities. At Huddersfield this attempt was responsible for severe rioting. Buses and trams were heavily stoned, and three of the drivers were taken to the hospital before order was restored. About twenty per cent, of(the traniwaymeu returned to-day. Leeds and Bradford are quiet. A few trams are running at Leeds. There was more rioting at Edinburgh, in which two men were arrested for trying to slash a policeman with a knife. The tramway service there is practically complete, and * the trains have been largely extended. Tliei hotel bars closed there from to-day. , The situation has been relieved somewhat in Birmingham owing 10 the decision of its corporation tram and bus inspectors to return to work. Several railwayman at Cheshire have returned, while trains at favorpool, where twenty thousand volunteers are available, are Virtually normal. Food supplies /are undoubtedly being distributed satisfactorily. This is one point on which all sides are compelled to agree. ’Hie impression created by the armed convoys has been most effective. A large quantity of bacon, which had been held up for a week was i cleaerd from the wharves to-day. SUPPLY OF NECESSARIES. , LONDON, May 10. ; There/ is no denying the fact that , Saturday and Sunday’s armed convoys , created the deepest impression in the East End of London, and notably in , Canningtown and Poplar, where inter- ; fercnce with transport /had a .boomer- ( ang effect. At Poplar now there is a j complete drought of draught beer, and c all the hotels have been closed. -More than one official communique has in- t eluded beer tunong foods, but apparent]y the trouble and.strategy involved in getting flour from the docks has forced beer into the background as a , necessary commodity. . ■ ‘ - LONDON, May 10. '

People were wondering how the stores of petrol would stand the unprecedented drain, but a reassuring sight on the Thames was a tug untuned by naval men flying the white ensign and towing three great tank barges filled with petrol. It is conjectured that this method of handling will now he extended to other commodities.

Every mail charged with impeding transport was summarily sent to 1 gaol for three 'months’ hard labour. Passengers are arriving from abroad without hardship.

A close official eye is being kept on all labour meetings, but these arc mostly orderly.

The police prevented a Communist meeting oil Edge ware Road. llieio were two arrests there.

MORE SPECIALS SWORN. LONDON, Allay El

A number of the Buckingham Palace servants have been sworn in as special constables.

Cambridge University announces L that those of it's undergraduates who V are doing national service will be allowed three weeks post emergency study for their postponed exams. The Glasgow Sheriff Courts have been triplicated to deal with strike eases.

One (hundred persons were charged there yesterday. The sentences usually were sixty clays’ bird labour w ttliout the option of a fine.