THE GREAT STRIKE

Taranaki Daily News, 1 October 1919, Page 5

THE GREAT STRIKE

SENSE BLOCKS OF TRAFFIC. JQESTEOYERS CONVEYING TROOPS. ,WAB AGAINST THE OTMMUNTTY. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. London, Sept. 28. The roads converging on London are erowded like that to Epsom on Derby Dayß, There are dense blocks of traffic «a London, Westminster, and other bridges, while the Thames Embankment is densely packed with vehicles. For fifteen miles outside London the main are thronged with all sorts of jehjeuler traffic. Thousands of people walked from four to six miles. The excellent police regulations and the fine weather serve to keep the public goodtempered, but there is bitterness against the lightning strike. The shops have plenty of food. 1 Several flights by aeroplanes, carrying Continental - and provincial mails have Men arranged. The post office is making (tpedal arrangements to catch the OsterJey at Toulon this week with a suppleJnentarr maiL j Destroyers are conveying troops to important centres, also conveying some nail*, -The position of the underground is more hopeful. The power are being manned by volunteers. , Mr. Thomas announces that no direct JBor indirect negotiations for a settlement have been inaugurated. 'The-newspapers generally regret Mr. Lloyd George's reference to anarchists. {There is no disposition to blame the funk and file of the railwaymen, who, Recording to the constitution, had no imtion but to strike when instructed by she executive. The blame centres on the leaders for what the overwhelming majority of the public consider is a war against the community.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable PANNING THE FLAME. BAILWAYMEN NEITHER BOLSHEVIKS NOR ANARCHISTS. London, Sept. 29. rffr. Thomas, in an* interview, said that he regretted that attempts were being bade to turn the strike into a revolution The railwaymen were neither Bolsheviks nor anarchists, but if a deliberate attempt was made to make them so, let those fanning the flame be prepared for the result. The Billingsgate fish porters who struck have resumed work. The distribution of coal and perishables Is being efficiently handled at Liverpool, Edinburgh, and other cities, and local train services have been initiated at various centres. The railway strike has rendered idle 100,000 South Wales miners, fend many steel and tinplate works have been closed. Troops have been sent to the district to guard the railways, and two companies of the King's Regiment end the Yorkshires have proceeded to Pontypridd. Ait official communique states that the toeneral situation is improving, and the Government measures are working satis, factortty. Pood distribution is being fcarried out smoothly, and voluntary offers of assistance are still pouring in.— jam-N-Z. Cable Assn. Mr. Smillie, speaking at Glasgow, said that he expected that 90 per cent, of the miners would be idle in three days in consequence of the railwaymen's strike. He urged the miners to keep their heads 'and be passive resisters as far as possible. •—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. London, Sept. 29. A remarkable article, given a good position in the Daily Herald, is attracting attention. It is written by Mr. W. li. George, a prominent extremist, and outlines a scheme for unionists to take jpvtT the management of the country, and in the event of riots to use troops. The author asks every union branch %o meet on Tuesday and appoint a delegat* to a local Labor emergency committee, which should meet on the following slight and prepare to supersede the local Authorities and also select delegates to a county committee, which should next arrange to take over the control of the {nitons, food, police, and transport, appointing further delegates to a central people's committee, which should sit at Westminster on Friday to determine the distribution of the highest functions and pake over national and foreign policies. Mr. George adds that if the railway - teen's strike is meanwhile settled Labor Will not have irasted its time in such a usefal practice of the drill for soldiers fcrf the social revolution. No response is expected to these revolutionary schemes, though a distinct current of anxiety runs through the speeches of moderate leaders.—Aus.-N.Z. {Cable Asa*.

NO DISORDER. TRAFFIC GREATLY CONGESTED. Received Sept. 30, 5.5 p.m. London, Sept. 29. sfeports from all parts indicate that the strikers and public are accepting the struggle seriously and soberly. There has been no disorder. Troops are standing in many centres to guard the lines fend protect volunteers if necessary. The great traffic centres in London lave been enormously congested all day, but, despite the pressure, the police have maintained admirable control and there have been very few accidents. Host of the shops and city business bouses closed early, enabling the majority of the vcrkers to travel homeward before dusk, when some of the improvised l.val train service* wen* stopped owing to the danger of working in the {Urkaess. Thousands gathered in the neighborhood of Downing Street, where the Prettier was in conference throughout the •Uy with Sir Erie and Sir Auckland tGeddes, Mr. Home, Mr. Churchill, Mr. feoberts and Mr. Barnes. A meeting of the Vehicle Workers' Union agreed to postpone its decision regarding the strike until to-night, when toe transporter* will also decide. The Btajority of the delegates are in favor |rf a stoppage. It is reported that there have been two attempts to wreck trains by means M fiat stones kid on the track of the hcnim and Brighton line. The military fuv guarding the line. The strikers held up two trains in Geetbrt, Intimidated the drivers, and kfared the firemen. The Premier is issuing an appeal to tnsyors throughout the country, urging them to organise local services to assist food distribution and other public serThe ON«t Western ked the best record to-day with nearlT «» trains tanning.—

SITUATION IMPROVING. MEN RETURNING TO WORK, Received Sept. 30, 3.20 p.m. . _ London, Sept. 29. The situation is steadily improving. Companies report that large numbers of drivers, guards, firemen, and others are returning to work in various parts of the country. With the aid of 1000 volunteers, the London authorities are running trial services on the undergrounds and tubes, and it is hoped that some will restart to-night and others to-morrow. POSITION WELL IN HANDt LABOR PREPARED FOR LONG STRUGGLE. Received Sept. 30, 7.50 p.m. • London, Sept. 29. _ It is understood the Government considers it has the position well in hand and that it is unnecessary to summon Parliament. ' A Government evening communique states that the position generally is unchanged, but that more trains are running, and there is an extraordinarily large number of volunteers. Mr. Thomas to-day denied that negotiations had been reopened. He had declined offers of assistance from other unions which would have paralysed the country, but the position might yet become uncontrollable. Mr. Bromley declares that the associated society is prepared for a long and severe struggle. The other unions will not allow the railwaymen to be defeated for lack of funds. The Electrical Trade Union discusses its attitude to-night. The Government is prepared for eventualities. A motor 'bus service ha 6 been mobilised between London and Liverpool. —Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc. TRAINS ON MOST LINES.

GREAT WESTERN ALMOST NORMAL. Received Sept. 30, 9.45 p.m. London, Sept. 29. Except on certain trunk lines to the north, trains are now running on nearly every railway. An official states that the Great Western service is almost normal. The London Electricians' Union decided to take no action at present.—Renter. SATISFACTORY FOOD DISTRIBUTION LONDON'S MILK SUPPLY. Received Sept. 30, 8.55 p.m. London, Sept. 29. The Ministry of Transport is confident that local and long distance services will improve swiftly. The Ministry of Food is satisfied with the arrangements in regard to food distribution. The ration order must be rigidly enforced, ensuring a fair share to everybody. At Hyde Park to-day there was distributed forty per cent, of London's normal milk supplv, which is 215,000 gallons.—Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc. IDLENESS WIDESPREAD. STRIKERS ATTACK TRAINS. .Received Oct. 1, 12.25 a.m. London, Sept. 29. The meeting of the Transport Federation was unable to come to a decision regarding the strike owing to the provincial delegates being unable to reach the meeting. A further meeting of the Transport Federation was held to-day. Those present yesterday handed* in reports of the affiliated unions, saying that they harf great difficulty in restraining the men from joining in the struggle. Many outside industries were endangered. Thousands of miners and steel-workers on the Tseside are idle. Even the brewj ers at Burton are unable to carry on, owing to inability to secure casks. All pits in the Nottinghamshire coalfields are idle, the sidings being full of coal. A hundijfd thousand wool workers in the Leeds district are threatened with immediate idleness, also the Allied dyeing and finishing trades, involving 25,000 more. Among other novel Government measures is that the Postmaster-General has arranged with the Air Ministry for the conveyance of letters from Bristol, Birmingham, Manchester, and Glasgow. Each letter has to bpar a special fee of two shillings an ounce. Posters are being issued, signed by Mr. Lloyd George, guaranteeing that even when prices fall no railwayman will receive le«s. than forty shillings. The posters have been placarded throughout the country. Sir Chas. Home sympathetically received the demobilised soldiers from Manchester and informed them that the country's financial conditions did not permit of an increase in the unemployment payment. London, Sept. 30. An engine driver at Kircaldie did not slacken speed. The strikers stoned the train, severely injuring the fireman. Other strikers attacked the train when it stopped at Ladybank, and twice uncoupled the engine, but failed to prevent it from restarting. There have been numerous similar incidently, mostly of smashing widows, in various parts of Scotland. A large number of troops have left Aldershot for guard duty at stations. Troops arc patrolling Waterloo Station A prolonged meeting of bus and tramway employees postponed their decision until to-day.—Times Service.