British Strike Over

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 44, 14 August 1911, Page 5

British Strike Over

STRIKERS' DEMANDS CONCEDED. 05 PER CENT. INCREASE GRANTED. ' THE MEN JUBILANT. By Gable—Press Association— Copyright. Received 13, 5.5 p.m. London, August 11. After thirteen hours' conference, the lightermen, the employers and the Board of Trade agreed to an increase of wages, averaging 25 per cent. This is the fifth strike Mr. G. R. Askwith, of the Home Office, has settled within the week. The Strike Committee, in a manifesto, congratulates the men on their victory, and declared the strike was at an end. After speeches by Mr. Ben Tillet and others hugh crowds of strikers, with banner and bands playing the "Marseillaise," marched in a procession from Tower Hill to Leadenhall street. The crowd was orderly. The Glasgow Corporation tramway men have voted for a strike. THE SITUATION AT LIVERPOOL. SQUEEZING THE EMPLOYERS. A DANGEROUS POSITION. Received 13, 5.5 p.m. London, August 12.

The situation at Liverpool is dangerous. The men have lost all sense of discipline. The recently increased pay has given them the impression that the employers can further be squeezed. The shortage of supplies at Woolwich continues. The men are existing largely on bully beef, whilst horses have been placed on half rations.

UNREASONABLE DEMANDS. TROUBLE AT LIVERPOOL AND BIRKENHEAD. Received 13, 6.5 p.m. Brisbane, August 12. The sevedores of Liverpool, contrary to their leaders' advice, demand that eight men must work in a hold, regardless of the fact that it is often a physical impossibility. Fifty Liverpool shipowners signed a letter stating that the dockers and officials have failed to persuade the men to observe the agreement, adding that it was impossible to work is port in the present chaotic conditions. Unless all sections would return before Monday noon, all works in Liverpool and Birkenhead would be closed down. 193 SHIPS AWAITING DISCHARGE. Received 13, 5.5 p.m. London, August 12. The Port of London Authority states that 103 ships are in the river and docks awaiting discharge. Many took their perishable cargoes back to the Continent.

FRENCH LOSSES. Received 13, 5.5 p.m. Paris, August 12. Le Temps declares that the French fruit and vegetable exporters have lost £40,000. owing to the strike. »' "" SHORTAGE OF NEWS-PAPER. FRUIT LTKELY TO BE SPOILT. DECLARATION BY THE GOVERNMENT. ENSURING LONDON'S FOOD SUPPLY. London, August 11. Owing to the strike, newspapers are threatened with ft shortage of paper. I Five thousand tons are used weekly. Ten thousand tons are lying on the wharves at Wapping and Blackfriars, and are not deliverable. It is estimated that many papers have only three or four days' supply. Practically no business was done at Covent GaTden market. Supplies are reaching the market by such strategy as the use of furniture vans. Thirty thousand cases are lying in the sheds of the South-Eastern and London, Chatham and Dover railway companies. The carmen have no grievance, and are not striking, but other strikers are preventing the delivery of goods. Fifty thousand cases of French, Spanish and Californian fruit will be spoilt unless the strike is ended on Monday. Mr. Churchill, in reply to a question in the House of Commons, said that unless a settlement was arrived at to-day it would be necessary for the Government to make a statement regarding steps to maintain order and the food supply. The Commissioner of Police has been iastructcd to take all measures for ■the preservation of peace, and promptly arrest all intimidators.

' Messrs. G. Lansbury and Crooks (Labor members) bitterly complained of the actions of the police. More than half the motor 'buses have ceased. In the House of Commons Mr. Samuel said that the Government was taking the fullest steps to safeguard London food supplies. Peak and Frean's biscuit factory has closod, throwing 2500 men out of work. There is hardly a factory in Bermondsey open, many having closed owing to the failure of coal supplies. There is great distress among the poor.

The railwaymen at Newcastle refused to handle goods diverted from London and Lancashire through the strike. A thousand workers of Edinburgh roperies and of a sailcloth company at Leith have struck. They have no grievance beyond the desire to secure for women increased wages.

London is quieter owing to strong police measures. A considerable quantity of foodstuffs has been removed from the stations. Two squadrons of Soots Greys have arrived. The strike has not affected wool. It is estimated that 95 per cent, of the purchases at the last series of sales had been removed from the warehouse* prior to the strike.

A deputation of Tooley street importers interviewed Mr. John Burns, and, receiving a satisfactory assurance of the Government's action, decided to remain open, as they will be able to deliver to buyers in their own vans. The Port of London Authority notifies an increase in the port dues of 7'/ 2 per cent, from Monday, pending a revision of the tariffs in detail. Mr. Ben Tillett, speaking to 15,000 men at Tower Hill, stated that the strike committee granted permission to the Post Office to get fodder and petrol in order that the mails might not be interfered with, and also granted permission to the West Ham Guardians to secure food for children. Mr. Gosling, secretary of the Transport Workers, states that the deadlock is in connection with COOO lightermen, whose grievances prevent the strike ending. Shipowners at Liverpool threaten a general lockout on Monday unless the striking dockers Teturn to work. THE SITUATION IMPROVED. CARTERS' GRIEVANCES SETTLED.

London, August 11. The sitnation has improved. The carters are resuming work, and orders for the reception of the troops in London have been countermanded. Smithfield meat market has reopened, and private carters arc drawing supplies unmolested. An all-night conference to-day reached a settlement of the carters' grievances. It was agreed that there be a 6ix days week of 72 hours, no day more than fourteen hours, drivers of one-horsed vans to receive 27a, two-horse 31s, fourhorse 38s, stablemen 275.

The grievances of the lightermen and stevedores are still under consideration, and none ef the sections are resuming work until all are satisfied. BUTTER AND CHEESE MARKET. London, August 11. The London market report states that it is absolutely impossible to receive delivery of butter and cheese, owing to the strike, but prices are nominally unchanged. The Danish quotation has been raised four kroner. The principal importers in Tooley street arc discussing whether to close their ■warehouses, but a decision has been postponed till Friday afternoon, CABLE FROM HIGH COMMISSIONER. By Telegraph—Press Association. Wellington, Saturday. The Acting-Premier has received the following cablegram from the High Commissioner: "The dockers' sHke 'is affecting the importation of me: . etc.. from all countries. No specia' ference to New Zealand. The dn.:-:rrs". carters', coal traders', and allied workers' claims are now under consideration by a conference of employers and employees. Smithfield doing fair business to-day. With reference to this strike it is anticipated the men will resume work early next week." Wellington, Last Night. Sir James Carroll, Actiiig-Prcmier, received a cablegram to-day that the strike of carters in London is over, and work will probably be resumed to-mor-row. S