THE BELFAST STRIKE.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXII, Issue 8933, 25 September 1907, Page 2

THE BELFAST STRIKE.

'Report of a Resident. The following is an extract from a letter received under date Belfast, Aug, sth, by a local resident: —“ W e are haV» ing very exciting times in Belfast just at present. About tiie Ist July a strike of all the carters in the city started. They all stopped work, and placed us in a very bad way. However, some of tho clerks id the city, I among tho number, offered to go out and cart, so until X wont on holiday I was carting flour throughout tho city. Five of our chaps out of the office, along with our boss, have been carting under police protection over since. I can tell you It is very exciting. Tho strikers have mobbed us very often. On two occasions they have rushed tho police, and cut tho bags on the carts, and of course we had to stand a lot of abuse. Wo couldn’t leave tne horses’ heads. Tha police got tired of it, and threatened to go on strike too. So tho city is full of military, between seven and eight thousand being drafted in with guns and a battalion of artillery. One of the parks is closed to the public: the military are camped in it. However, things are quieting down again. ’The police stuck to their duty. We enjoyed tho carting immensely. It is quite a common sight to see a convoy of five or six carts accompanied by police and driven by fellows with kid gloves and top hats. Of course we in our office soon got over that. For instance, I describe myself as I go. I’m wearing an old pair of flannels, as dirty as possible with flour, etc., an old office coat, no vest or collar or tie, my shirt open at the front. That’s the way we go about. We always have a good laugh at dinnertime. Wo all go to tho Cato Eoyal, a big restaurant in town. Of course the city men all know us, but strangers stare openeyed and open-mouthed at what they take to be a set of roughs coming in. They generally call a waitress and ask questions. To-day, for instance, as it was a holiday in Coleraine when I went I heard a laugh in a corner, and there was a crowd of Coleraine folk sitting laughing at me. Of course I had to go forward to speak to them. One of the girls in the crowd had a camera. She wanted to take my photo., but no thanks, and I fled. However, we think to-morrow or next day will end it. The strike leaders and the masters had a conference to-day, and think that maybe they will arrange it to-morrow.