MOTHER COUNTRY.

Taranaki Daily News, 2 September 1918, Page 5

MOTHER COUNTRY.

THE POLICE STRIKE. DEMANDS OF THE UNIOX. INCREASED PAY GRANTED. Received August 31, 5.5 p.m. London, August 30. Normally, the Metropolitan police force numbered 23,200, but it is now estimated at 24,800. The demands consist of a permanent addition in wages of 20s weekly, plus 12'/ 3 per. cent, war bonus; (2) the reinstatement of Constable Thiel, the provincial organiser, who was dismissed for being associated . with the union; (3) official recognition I of the union. I It is believed that the report that 20s i increase had been conceded was incor- ! rect. In any case, the union insists on I the other demands. The officials declare that the London ; pay is far below the provincial. They expect that between 4000 and 5000 will strike to-day. They hold a mass meeting on Tower Hill this evening. The authorities at Scotland Yard ' (police headquarters) state that they have no idea how far the union represents the police force. Some of the divisional officers deny' that the union has any large support. The police declared they would strike at midnight unless the increase was granted. Scotland Yard thereupon announced that the increased pay had been authorised.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assoc. STRIKERS DESIRE INTERVIEW WITH CABINETReceived September 1, 5 5 p.m. London, August 31. Practically all the city police have struck The strikers, at a mass meeting, decided to request the executive to be allowed to interview the Cabinet in order to explain their demands. General Smuts refused to see the union executive, but was willing to see the committee from all stations. Owing to the absence of the policy several attempts were made to rob the jewellers in the Strand by smashing the window.—Press Association.

EXCITING SCENES. Received Sept. 1, 5.5 p.m. London, August 31. There are 12,000 police now on strike. Exciting scenes occurred in Scotland Yard Five hundred strikers, headed by a piper, marched, singing "Fall In and Follow Me." When the strikers saw the policemen on duty, they cried out "Blacklegs!" "Dirty -dogs!" or "Are wc afraid of tha Army I' The streets were crowded to watch the unaccustomed «igbt& The strike is likely to extend to the provinces. In the south there have been called out .for duty the special constables, who have been supplementing the work of the police since the war.—Aus. Cable Assoe^ Received Sept. 1, 5.5 p.m. London, Aug. 31. The Government has promised the police sympathetic consideration if they Tetnrn to duty.—Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc. PREMIER SETTLES THE TROUBLE. Received September 1,11.33 p.m. London, August 31. The police Btrike was settled. aftes Mr. Uovd George had received a deputation. The men are to receive an increase of 13s weekly, and resume duty immediately.—Reuter. DOMINANCE OF GERMAN MILITARISM. THE BEGINNING OF THE END. Received September 1, 5 5 pm. London, August 31. Replying to the songratulations of Signor Orlando (Italian Premier) upon the British successes, Mr. Lloyd Georgs says:—Thanks to the brilliant leadership of General Focb and the Allied generals, and the splendid valor and enthusiasm of all the Allied troops, the German armies are now in retreat. I feel sure this is the beginning of the end of the dominance of German militarism.— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assoc. and Reuter. A KNIGHT DEGRADED. Received September 1, 5.5 p.m. London, August 31. The Press Bureau states that the King has degraded Sir Joseph Jonas, ex-Mayor of Sheffield. conYicted of having dealings with the enemy, from the degree of knight bachelor.—Press Association.