STRIKE IN ENGLAND.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 175, 11 December 1912, Page 5

STRIKE IN ENGLAND.

RAILWAYMEN GO OUT. CONSIDERABLE UNREST. By Cable—Press Association—Copyright. London, December 0. Meetings of railwaymen at Hull. Sunderland, York and Darlington refused to support the strike. Though the NorthEastern Railway Company has recognised the amalgamated society, the latter is powerless to stop the strike, and merely explains that it is not supporting the strikers. The company has given notice of dismissal to the 3500 striker-;, and asked for the return of their uniforms and equipment.

There is considerable unrest among the men employed on the Midland Railway, who allege victimisation of union leaders.

The strike was due to Knox, an en-gine-driver; who was drunk, being disorderly in a tramear, and assaulting the police. The company did not dismiss him, because he had been a driver for twenty-two years. Instead, they reduced him to the position of pilot-driver, with wages 9s less. The manager of the North-Eastern Company states that it was necessary to protect the public. There would be no answer if there was an accident after an engine-driver had been convicted of drunkenness. He recalls the Board of Trade's recent report on the Darlington accident, which described drunkenness, even when off duty, as an unpardonable offence in an engine-driver. The company was willing to reinstate Knox after a probationary period. The strikers doubt Knox's guilt. In any case, they say his conduct off duty was not the company's business.

SYMPATHETIC DOCKERS.

London, December 9. Twelve hundred Tyne dockers have struck, in sympathy with the railway men. The coal trade is being held lip, and much shipping is idle. The railway men are appealing to the Amalgamated Union to declare a national strike. THE TROUBLE SPREADING. ACTION BY RAILWAY COMPANY. Received 11, 12.45 a.m. London, December 10. Six thousand raihvaymen have struck. Eighty vessels are waiting in the river Tyne, the majority being unable to ob-' tain cargoes. Meetings of North-Eastern Railway employees at Stockton. Sunderland and York resolved to defer decision to strike. Meetings at Blyth, Hexham and Hartlepool supported the strike. The manager has offered to reinstate Knox at the earliest moment consistent wit-li safety to the public. The company is issuing summonses against the strikers, and claiming damages for leaving work without notice.