22 JUNE 1912, Page 3

The transport strike in the provinces was almost at an

end by the beginning of the week. The ballot of the Sailors' and Firemen's Union showed a large majority against a stoppage, as did that of the Scottish transport workers. In London also the numbers of those who have returned to work is gradually increasing and had reached nearly eleven thousand by Wednesday. In spite of this, however, the strike leaders are still determined to continue the fight, and on Wednesday evening announced that they would abstain from all further negotiations until some definite offers were made to them by the employers. Meanwhile the strike funds are almost exhausted, and an appeal has been issued by the Parlia- mentary Committee of the Trade Union Congress to all trade unionists for immediate monetary aid for the strikers. Their situation, however, has now become almost hopeless, and the gradual collapse of the strike seems inevitable.