TRANSPORT STRIKE.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIII, Issue 28, 30 May 1912, Page 5

TRANSPORT STRIKE.

ENGLISH TROUBLE CONTINUES

(By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright (United Press Association.)

London, May 29

The fruit importers, in a private deputation to Mr McKenna, asked what protection lie would give if 'they provided men to discharge cargoes. Mi McKenna said that there was plenty of police protection but no free laoour. The meat importers, he said, offering a pound a uay, only secured two hundred workers. He could not give military protection, but woulu allow the military to unload vessels. He asked Mr F \V. Moore uhy the Argyllshire, Osterly, and other vessels were not translerml to another port. Mr Moore explained that the owners declined to do this, fear;ne that the strike would spread. He added that if the strike continued for a fortnight or three weeks, soft fruit arriving would spoil. Mr .McKenna was sympathetic, and hoped that an agreement would be arrived at yhoi tly.

SIR E. CLARKE'S REPORT

London, May 29

In connection with the strike, Si; E. Clarke’s award is against the mei. in connection with the first and set-out of seven specific causes, but uphold: Mr Gosling in too remainder. Sii E. Clarke’s finding is that the effects of file agreement of August 19 havt been misapprehended; as the Government considers that the agreement: entered into should ’fie strictly followed; and inasmuch as the misapprdu-n sion regarding the inteipretat oh ha: been cleared up, work should be resumed. Both sides have been Civil od to confer with the Board of Trade on Fridav.

Sir 10.* Clarke found that Thomas’ case; was based on a misapprehension. 'J'uis, lie said, was a. very exceptional case, and should, under Clause 5 of the August agreement, have been discussed by the masters and men, and, in the event of a disagreement, have been arbitrated upon by the Hoard of Trade. The same rule applies to the alleged breach of the agreement between short sea traders and the National Transport Federation. The master lightermen peremptorily refused to discuss the Amalgamated Watermen’s and Lightermen’s application for an increase, one of die important causes of the present dispute. Moreover, sailing barge-owners failed to explain their refusal to pay rates agreed to on January 1. Similarly the wharfingers are blamed for not accepting the case governing all oversea ships. > Lord Alverstoue’s ruling, enforcing under given conditions Rollitt’s aware for a higher rate, add'd that the refusal of BisscH, a master carman, to pay the rates agreed upon created much" difficulty,,in view of statutable obligations of* the Port of Loudon Authority, but beyond asking the Port Authority to ddefine to load bis vans, the Federation was .quiescent until other disputes arose.' 1 Finally, concerning the vexatious inteifi rence with trades unionists, Sir E. Clarke mentioned the non-compliance rf the Workers’ T’ede ration ' til 0 rule concerning a conference and appeal to the BoawJjpf Trade. ’ . PRESS COMMENT. Loudon, May 21). Sir E. Clarke said that the questTdiToTTirming outs’de firms within the operation of thg agreement made on behalf Employers’ Association with trades unions is for the Legislature alohfe'ko decide, and is beyond the scope of his instructions. The Times says that the general effect of the report him been to show that on both sides thMfWhaas been r rather audacious attempt to disregard solemn arguments or arbitrators’ decisions. There does not scorn to be much to choose between tire masters and men, thought to some extent the masters had priority in their disregard of agreements on large question s'" of interests to the community. The report does not disclose any grievance justifying the trades union loaders’ action in not exercising the right of appeal to the Board of irade. Mi Gosling had been good enough to say r that lie wouichallow the public to' have essential food, but even that was unobtainable except by a displav offeree. Tt was not for Mr. Gosling to dictate to the community what food it should have.

The newspapers are unanimous m congratulating Sir E. Clarke on his promptitude and thoroughness. The “Chronicle” says that two things emerge very clearly in the report The strike ought not to have keen declared, and that the men have certainly a real grievance, calling loudly for redress. The “Morning Post” says that the stinkers’ offer to co-operate with the Government i nseenring essential food supply is doubtless a result of the Government’s firmness, and public op’uion backing its action. The “Telegraph” F'.ays that with the publication, of the report it must be assumed tliat the strike, has entered on its last phase.

STRIKERS ARRESTED

London, May 29

The police convoyed further' large quantities of meat and grain from the docks, amidst the strikers’ half-heart-ed opposition. A dozen arrests have made at Canuington for bottle-throw-ing and attempts to overturn a van and cut the traces.

The Port of London Authority has issued a statement that it cannot discriminate between union and nonunion carmen and lightermen. L the situation is prolonged beyond J? nday it must temporarily discharge a portion of its staff. The Strikers’ Committee have •• cep tod Mr. Buxton’s invitation, reserving the right to withdraw unless they meet thoroughly representative employers, including the Port of London Authority.

The Cannon’s Trade Cnion endorsed the transporters’ decision to attend the conference and send representatives. It exhorts the men to'stand firm.

The Independent labour Party’s conference, by 195 to 79, rejected the proposal that"the party should vote on the merits of every question, even if

it involved a Government defeat, it slated that the party was unable to stand the financial strain of continual general elections.