UNREST IN INDIA.

Taranaki Daily News, 9 January 1920, Page 5

UNREST IN INDIA.

STRIKES IN THE CITIES, HIGH COST OF LIVING. Sy Telegraph.—Press Aasn.i-Copyrlght, Received Jan. 9, 12.45 a.m. Allahabad, Jan. 7. A wave of unrest has been prevalent throughout India for some months. There have been strikes involving the railways, the post offices, and, factories.

A strike of mill hands now in Bombay involves 200,000, and it spread to Calcutta, where 35,000 came out on the first day, making a similar demand to Bombay for a 50 per cent, increase in wages', an increased grain allowance, and a 10-hour day. The strikes came as a surprise as no demands had previously been promulgated-

Military were sent to Bombay in view of possible disturbances. Rioting occurred in one mill. The newspapers were compelled to cut down their issues owing to trouble with employees. The chief cause of the industrial unrest is high prices. The cost of living has increased a hundred per cent. The Government, however, is aware that Bolshevik agents, have reached India, via Afghanistan, in order to foment unrest. It is stated they have unlimited funds at their disposal. As a precautionary measure the Government has issued an order declaring rouble notes illegal tender, and anyone possessing them is liable to im-prisonment—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.