It seems doubtful at present how many men are involved
in this decision. For the moment the strike does not extend beyond London, and, according to a statement in Friday's Times, only includes those members of the Federation who are actually engaged in transport work. This appears to mean that from 60,000 to 100,000 men are directly concerned. There is no queStion, however, that, if the Executive think it advisable, they may at any moment call out the full membership of the Federa- tion all over the country. And in any event the immediate effects of the strike upon the public must be serious. There has been no warning of its imminence, and the consumer has had no opportunity, as he had in the ease of the coal. strike, of preparing by storage against a scarcity of provisions. The effect upon the London markets will be direct, and an instan- taneous rise in prices is inevitable. It may bo added that the example of the state of Liverpool last summer is an un- pleasant warning against undue optimism. It may be well to notice that, though the strike originated as a simple protest against non-union labour, new grievances and new demands (such as for a minimum wage) are being rapidly brought in to complicate the dispute.
