INDUSTRIAL UNREST.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 283, 27 May 1912, Page 5

INDUSTRIAL UNREST.

A GIANT STRIKE. TRADE IN LONDON PARALYSED. By Cable—Press Association—Copyright. London, May 24. Ten thousand carmen are out, and an additional 30,060 are expected to cease. Already 100,000 men are idle in London. Among the vessels held up are five laden with 400,000 carcases of meat. A strike has occurred at Covent Garden market, chiefly in the foreign fruit section. The London and Suburban Traders' Federation and the Meat Retailers' Association have appealed to the Government for adequate protection of vans and vehicles so as to ensure distribution of goods and foodstuffs. It is stated that the Dockers' Union at 'Southampton refuses to unload any vessels diverted from London. Sir Edward Clarke has opened an enquiry. Mr. Gosling stated the grievances of the men, and added that the strikers were prepared to do their best in protecting the public health and caring for the infirm and children. RIGHTS OF NON-UNIONISTS. By Cable—Press Association—Copyright. Melbourne, May 25. Damages to the amount of £1 16s 9d for loss of wages were granted against the secretary of the Port Phillip Stevedores' Association for procuring the dismissal of non-unionists.

A SOCIALIST THREAT. BOMBS AND BULLETS. Received 26, 5.5 p.m. New York, May 26. Mr. Lawrence, of Massachusetts, in a letter to the Leader, says that as a result of the recent strikes, when several persons were killed in police charges, some are standing trial for inciting to riot. The Socialist organisations declare that if they are found guilty, a complete change will occur in the methods of Socialists throughout the United States. Henceforward bombs and bullets will be used against society until justice is achieved. PROGRESS OF THE STRIKE. Received 26, 5.5 p.m. London, May -26. Mr. McKenna visited the dockers, and afterwards had an audience with the King. Mr. Asquith also saw the King. Deputations of millers and meat importers have appealed to Mr. MacKenna for protection of their goods. The Chronicle declares that,there is no adequate justification for the strike. No question of wages or hours is involved. Thomas, it says, was not .a nonunionist, but a member of a society whereof he was a founder. The strike was imprudent and unnecessary. THE SOUTH WALES MINERS. Received 26, 5.5 p.m. London, May 26. The South Wales miners resolved, through their representative on the District Board, to*continue working at the minimum wage under protest. THE TAILORS' STRIKE. Received 26, 5.5 p.m. London, May 26. The strike of 8000 lady tailors has been settled, their wages having been increased by 10 per cent., and their hours shortened. Fifteen thousand men tailors continue on strike.

MASTERS AND MEN. STRIKE OF TRANSPORTERS. Received 27, 12.25 a.m. London, May 26. Sir E. Clarke's enquiry has closad.at Gosling's request, owing to Clarke's refusal to sanction the appearance of counsel. Gosling alleged that Thomas was a tool of the masters. Lambert, on behalf of the masters, denied this, and declared it was desired to break up the union, Thomas being used for that purpose. The masters were not bound by any agreement, but were solely employers of unionists. He felt that he must strenuously resist the constant attempts to upset trade. The men were constantly breaking agreements on some pretext or other. Sir E.Clarke said that no suspicion of strikes would ever compel non-unionist masters to obey the unions. He was hopeful, however, that legislation would help greatly to solve industrial difficulties. One hundred and twenty thousand transporters are now out. An army of the Service Corps is in readiness at Aldershot to undertake transport duties. The militant section of the railwaymen are agitating for a general strike. Sectional meetings have declared that they will not handle black-leg goods.