STRIKE IN BRITAIN.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 64, 2 August 1912, Page 5

STRIKE IN BRITAIN.

FURTHER DISTURBANCES.

By Cable—Press Association—Copyright.

London, July 31. Rc-cngaged strikers at Victoria Dock attacked two thousand non-unionists with bricks and stones. Bludgeons and knives were freely used. Several nonunionists drew revolvers, and at least sixty shots were fired. Seven men were wounded, and twenty taken to hospital. Similar outbreaks have occurred at the Albert and West India docks. They are apparently organised to clear out the free laborers, particularly those in permanent employment. 'The mounted police charged, and many arrests wire made. Five thousand lightermen, on Mr. Gosling's advice, have decided to resume work. TROUBLE AT THEJ DOCKS. London, July 31. There ha* been serious rioting at Victoria Dock, The strikers attacked the free laborers and attempted to raid several steamers. A number of persons received wounds from bullets. Baton charges by the police eventually cleared the quays. AUSTRALIA'S HELP. Melbourne, August 1. The Waterside Workers' Federation voted £IOO for the London dockers.

DOCK RIOTS. SERIOUS AFFRAYS. STRIKERS ATTACK FREE LABORERS. Received 1, 11.55 p.m. London, August 1. Lightermen are assured of work, but large numbers of dockers and stevedores have losts their posts, the employers refusing to dismiss efficient men employed during the strike. This is the chief cau.se of the riots.

There was a fierce tight at the Customs House entrance to Victoria Dock. Unionists on Tuesday morning attended outside the docks, but wen: not called, and yesterday tliey entered to compete with the free laborers. The struggle developed into a free fight with stones and bludgeons. The unionists chased the free laborers, of whom some took refuge in the Xew Zealand Shipping Company's offices. Before they were reached, several shots were fired, but nobody was hit.

The police dispersed the pursuers, but the fight then spread to the whole dock. Five hundred strikers attacked two hundred free laborers who were unloading grain aboard the City of Colombo. Many employed on neighboring vessels ceased work and joined in the attack, but the gangway was withdrawn.

Two free laborers on r barge were severely handled. The strikers then attacked the steamer with stones and bottles. The men aboard replied, but the strikers sheltered under the ship's side and fired several shots. The conflict lasted forlv-five minutes.

Half a dozen constables present were powerless. On reinforcements arriving the strikers were driven off. The captain denies that any shots were fired from the City of Colombo. Stones badly injured two men aboard. Their comrades were terrified, and abandoned the ship. The strikers later blocked the roadway outside the Customs House and ignored the police order to rnako way for traffic. Mounted constables charged with their batons, and a number of arrests were made. Six free laborers, earlier in the day, grpatly nntnumbered. were attacked by strikers at the entrance to the Albert Dock. One man. Xorm,.n. Ired. wounding two strikers, one in the throat. Xorman statcu that the strikers kicked him. Further riots are threatened.