LABOUR TROUBLES

Taihape Daily Times, 10 February 1919, Page 5

LABOUR TROUBLES

DOWN TOOLS EPIDEMIC

STORM SIGNS GROWING

SCENES IN LONDON.

MONS HERO CLEARS THE ROAD

LONDON, February 77

The stfike situation, is growing worse. Fog and snow, which have converted the roads into slushy mud, are increasing the public discomfort. The latest strikes on the South-Western and London and Brighton lines affect the lines serving the most populous industrial suburbs of greater London. It is impossible to tell where the strike storm will burst next. The Great Western drivers and firemen in the Plymouth distict are striking in sympathy with the South-Westerners. There is no indication that the electricians are wavering in their decision to strike to-night, despite the regulation making it an offence for the electricians to stop work. The electricians have already received a forty-seven hours week, and they frankly state they are striking in order to help the men who are fighting on the Clyde.

The most curious scenes were witnessed during the rush citywards. Military lorries the different streets of the affected districts, and city men, faultlessly attired fashionable women, and well-dressed girls scrambled into the lorries* 'and stood tightly packed alongside workmen in corduroys. The strikers at Wimbledon endeavoured to hold the motor lorries, bringing the Government workers' into town. The driver of the leading lorry, wearing the Mons ribbon, threatened to down any Bolshevik who came his way. The effect was Instantaneous. The strikers fell back, amid the cheers of the crowd.

The strikers are interfering with demobilisation. Hundreds of soldiers on leave from France were held up at Victoria and Waterloo Stations, and have the greatest difficulty in finding board and lodging. Trouble developed on the London and Brighton line late last night. An official stated that he feared the main line, as well as the local trains, would be completely disorganised. The South Western officials are equally in doubt as to the extent of the movement. All the motormen and guards of the electrified section struck at midnight, and others came out in response to the call ofthe secretary, Mr Bromleys. The trouble, so far, has not'affected the trunk line service to the nOTth, northwest, and north-east, or any of the other companies, where no section of the line is electrified.

CONFERENCE WITH LEADERS

LONDON, February 7.

The Home Secretary has taken adequate steps to insure the electricity supply of the metropolis. The tube strikers’ attempts to iiivolveTTie omnibus and tjajn employees have hitherto been rebuffed. Sir Albert Stanley had a six hours’ interview with Bromley, the secretary, and other representatives of the locomotive engineers. Sir Robert Horne, Minister for Labour, attended. Sir Albert Stanley, during an adjournment, consulted Cabinet.

Mr. B'romley- subsequently said that no definite decision had been reached. Everything has been hanging in the air for a few hours, but plans extension of the strike are developing.

BELFAST CONSPIRACY

LONDON, February 7.

Warrants have been Issued against the chief Belfast leaders for conspiracy to injure the public safety. A SALUTARY EFFECT ELECTRICIANS CARRY ON. LONDON, February 7. The settlement of the London tube strike, after negotiations lasting all day, is likely to have a salutary effect On the extremists in other industries, inasmuch as the men agreed to return to work under the conditions prevailing when they struck. The firmness of the Government is generally commended. The Electrical Union has agreed to work the power stations until midnight on Saturday,( giving the * Government an opportunity to reconsider the mens’ demands.

SUBMARINES TO BE BANNED,

PROPOSED BT BRITISH ADMIRALTY. Received 8.45 a.m. LONDONN, February 8 The Daily Express understands that the British Admiralty entirely favours universal prohibition of submarine construction; it is also prepared to destroy all existing submarines, provided means are devised to circumvent any possible breach of the agreement. .