From the News

Dated: April 24, 1919

Liverpool Workers Threaten by refusing to Load up Baggage

London, April 23.

A number of First Division troops, ready to sail for Canada, must remain in England owing to a dock workers' strike at Liverpool, which held up the departure of the White Star liner Baltic, upon which they were to make the trip.

A singular incident marked the departure today of the Metagama from Liverpool to Quebec with 500 wives, 200 children and 50 babies with husbands and fathers from Buxton. The strikers threatened to hold up the sailing of the ship by refusing to put the baggage on board.

Arrangements were quickly made for a fatigue party among the married soldiers to get the baggage of the wives and children on board. It was safely stowed awaywithout loss of time, many on board being unaware of how nearly their voyage had been delayed or cancelled altogether.

The strike was absolutely unauthorized and is not likely to last long. Seven thousand men refused to work today. Brig.-Gen. Hill and Col. A. B. Eve , and Col G. S. Rennie are aboard the Metagama. The Tunisian sails Friday and will be almost wholly filled with munition workers.