INDUSTRIAL UNREST.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 286, 30 May 1912, Page 5

INDUSTRIAL UNREST.

;•* THE FOOD SUPPLY. r r THE STRIKERS' INTERDICT. By Cable—Preeg Association—Copyright. London, May 28. Mr. McKenna has summoned the Strike Committee to a conference at the Home Office to-day. The police are patrolling the docks. Business at Smithfield is almost normal, and there is no difficulty in distributing In the metropolis. Owing to the police acting as convoys for meat, the strike leaders are attempting to stop the refrigerating machinery in the steamers and cold stores.

Mr. Ben Tillet, in a manifesto, urges the carmen to strike. He protests that the action of the authorities in using the police and soldiers as scabs and scab protectors is a misuse of public money.

MR. McKENNA AND THE STRIKE LEADERS. London, May 28.. Mr. McKenna has intimated to the strikers that some food must be allowed to *be brought into London immediately. Mr. Ben Tillet and Mr. Gosling asked Mr. McKenna to let them know what was wanted, and they would co-operate with the Home Office. Practically ail the tugs and barges on the Thames have been rendered idle. The strike leaders permitted the pleamire steamers to run during the holidays. The London supply of petrol, amounting to 300 tons daily, which is taken in barges from the Thameshaven to ■tores up the river, is endangered. The number of taxi-cabs in commission has already been reduced. Mr. McKenna, in an official statement, declares that the interview with the Home Office was at the strikers' instance. He denies that the employment of soldiers' and the .reported preparation for the movemerit of troops were baseless. The Government would insist on the maintenance of or<ler, and would, if necessary, use all the resources at its disposal to ensure to the people a continued supply of food.

THE SHIPPING DEADLOCK. Received 29, ILIO p.m. London, May 29. The fruit importers, in a private deputation to Mr. McKenna, asked what protection he would give if they provided men to discharge cargoes. Mr. McKenna said that there was plenty of police protection but no free labor. The meat importers, he said, offering a pound a day, only secured two hundred workers. He could not giving military protection, but would allow the military to unload vessels. He asked Mr. F. w . Moore why .the Argyllshire, Osterly and other vessels were not transferred to another port. Mr. Moore explained that the owners declined to do this, fearing that the strike would spread. He added that if the strike continued for a fortnight or three weeks soft fruit arriving would •poil. Mr. McKenna was sympathetic, and hoped that an agreement would be arrived' at shortly.

filß E. CLARKE'S REPORT,

PROPOSED CONFERENCE,

Received 29, 10.30 p.m. London, May 28. In connection with the strike, Sir E. Clarke's award is against the men in connection with the first and second of •even specific causes, but upholds Mr. Gosling in the remainder. Sir E. Clarke's finding is that the effects of the agreement of August 19 have been misapprehended, as the Government considers that the agreements entered into sfcould be strictly followed; and inasmuch as the misapprehension regarding the interpretation has been cleared up, work should be resumed. Both sides have been invited to confer with the Board of Trade on Friday.

Sir E. Clarke found that Thomas' case was based on a misapprehension. This, he said, was a very exceptional case, and should, under Clause 5 of tne August agreement, have been- discussed by the masters ana men, and, in the event of a disagreement, have been arbitrated upon by the Board 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 the 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. SLord Alverstone's ruling, enforcing under given conditions Rollitt's award for a higher rate, adds that the refusal of 'Bissell, a master carman, to pay the rates agreed upon created much difficulty, in view of statutable obligations «f the Port of London Authority, but beyond asking the Port Authority to decline to load his vans, the Federation was quiescent until other disputes arose. Finally, concerning the vexatious interference with trades unionists, Sir E. Clarke mentioned the non-compliance of the Workers' Federation with the rale concerning a conference and appeal to the Board of Trade.

■PRESS COMMENT. Received 30, 12.5 a.m. London, May 29. Sir E. Clarke said that the question of bringing outside firms within the operation of the agreement made on behalf of the Employers' Association with trades union's is for the Legislature alone to decide, and is heyond the scope of his instructions.

The Times says that the general effect of the report has been to show that on both sides there has been a rather audlacious attempt to disregard solemn arguments or arbitrators' decisions. There <k>es not seem to be much to choose between the masters and men, though to some extent the masters had priority in their disregard of agreements on large questions of interests to the community. The report does not disclose any grievance justifying the trades union leaders' action in not exercising the right of appeal to the Board of Trade. Mr. Gosling had been good enough to say that he would allow the public to have essential food, but even that was unobtainable except by a display of force. It was not for Mr. Gosling to dictate to the community what food it should have. The newspapers are unanimous in congratulating Sir E. Clarke on hi 9 promptitud« and thoroughness. The Chronicle says that two things emerge very clearly in the report: The strike ought not to have been declared, and that the men have certainly a real grievance calling loudly for redress. The Morning Post says that the strikers' offer to co-opeTate with the Government in securing essential food supply is doubtless a result of the Government's firmness, and public opinion backing its action.

_ The Telegraph says that with the publication of the report it must he assumed that the strike has entered on its'last phase. .. „ ,