IN THE PROVINCES.

ACCRINGTON – There was some excitement yesterday when thousands of engineers and workers assembled outside the great machinery works of Messrs. Howard and Bullough, where 5,000 men are employed. No workers entered, and the firm posted a notice that the works would be closed.

BARROW – At Vickers’ shipyard The Daily Telegraph correspondent was informed by the management, that the resumption greatly exceeded expectations. In some departments more men have returned to work than there is work for. Altogether fully 50 per cent. of those affected are at work. An endeavour is being made to place these men in other departments, but it is not possible to find employment for all. The works are picketed.

BIRKENHEAD – A few men returned to work at Birkenhead, but pickets are particularly active and challenging any workmen near the yards. Everything is quiet.

COVENTRY – Crowds of unemployed blocked the entrances to works, and street processions were held. As a result of a scuffle with the police half a dozen men were arrested, but later released. HULL – The opening of the engineering shops at Hull met with no response from the men, and the extension of the dispute has resulted in some l,500 more men being rendered idle.

LEICESTER – About a thousand locked-out men returned to work. In some cases more men presented themselves than could be engaged, owing io scarcity of work.

LINCOLN – All the works were strongly picketed, but in the morning a number of men got in before the pickets arrived.

LIVERPOOL – While members of the A.E.U. have not returned, engineers belonging to other unions have resumed in sufficient numbers to permit a resumption of work in the shops.

MANCHESTER – Only a few workmen offered their services.

MIDDLESBROUGH – Not one engineer availed himself of the offer of the engineering employers to return to work yesterday.

NEWCASTLE – A good many men returned to work, but these were chiefly labourers. Unemployment on Tyneside is great. The Armstrong Whitworth Co., Elswick, stated there is no change in the situation as regards engineers.

SHEFFIELD – Some of the men connected with the unions affected went to work as usual, but the unemployed sent out a picket 400 strong. This picket forced its way into Messrs. Firths’ works and remained in the vicinity until the men who had gone in consented to leave the shops. Mounted police and charabancs of ordinary police were rushed to the scene. Fortunately there was no violence.

SUNDERLAND – Engineers in the great majority stood firm, and the employers report that of the other men affected only labourers presented themselves in considerable numbers.