LABOUR WAR.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 17120, 15 April 1921, Page 7

LABOUR WAR.

TRIFLE ALLIANCE DECISION. STRESS TO START TO-DAY. (Bt o*b>—Prasi ai»tTalian *M N.Z. Cabla Aasocitim-) LONDON, April 13. The Triple Alliance has decided 1o strike on Friday in support of the minors. The Miners' Executive informed the Executive of the Triple Alliance that the negotiations could not be resumed with any hope of success on the present proposals of the Government and the owners. Tho stage had been reached when the Alliance would have to take action. Mr Evan Williams, president of IJh<> Mining Association of Great. Britain, states that the owners offered all they had to give. He challenged the minora to ahow that the industry cculd provide more. Tho Government announces that in tihe event of any stoppage of work they will use tho fullest power of tho State to protect workers continuing any services essential to the life of the community, and will protect their interwV in any subsequent settlement. Mr Lloyd George, replying to Mr J. H. Thomas's intimation that the strike would begin on Friday, says: "The decision is a grave one. You threaten to dislocate the wfco'.e of the transport services of the country, which are so essential to the life of the nation. 1 should like to know on what grounds you hava determined to inflict such a serious blow on your fellow-country-men," (Rooajved April 16th, 12.5 a.m.) LONDON, April 14. The Labour Party will move an amendment during the Emergency Regulations debate to-day protesting against the Government's "wstly warlike measures against loyal citizens who are exercising their logal right to resist encroachments on their standard of living." The "Daily Chronicle" says Government circles believe that if the strike occurs it will not last beyond a fort* night. THE MINERS' CASE. TRIPLE. ALLIANCE MANIFESTO. flUute'- TotaftNM.) (Received April 15th, 12.5 a.m.) LONDON, April 13. The Triple Alliance has issued a manifesto stating that it was proposed that the minors should accept a permanent district wages arrangement, involving reductions in many districts such as no trade union hitherto ever accepted, and which, if accepted, would disgrace trade union history. The Miners' Federation realises that the position of the industry ia as bad as it has over been in its whole history, and the miners ore prepared to help by accepting a reduction in wages of a national and uniform character, but not below the pre-war standard of living. ■ The manifesto says the Tnplo, Alliance is lighting for trade union Yights. It repudiates* tho suggestion that this is a political fight, declaring it is not out proclaiming a revolution. EFFORTS FOR PEACE. WORKERS NOT EAGER TO STRIKE. ' (Received April'l4th, 10.35 p.m.) LONDON.. April 18. The ballot of the National Union of Seamen and Firemen is, so far, against a strike. The miners' leaders make no secret of the fact that the railwayman and transport workers have,-thus far, shown no eagerness to strike. Tho Eleotrioal Trades Union is ready, to join the strike if the Triple Alliance decides that its support is desirable. A conference of tine unions affiliated with the Federation of General Workers, with ft membership of 1,500,000, has been summoned for Thursday, to decide whether they will join the strike. Though the Triple Alliance has decided against au official peace move, individual Labour leaders* including Mr J. R. Cl.vnes and Mr Arthur Henderson, arc- making efforts to bring tho coalowners and the miners together again. The locomotive men, including the engineers and firemen, have decided to strike on Friday. Tho Parliamentary Committee of the Trade Union Congress, tho .National Executive of tlhe Labour Party, and tho Parliamentary Labour Party will confer regarding the industrial situation tomorrow. In tho House of Commons, Mr Lloyd George announced the decision of the railwaymen and the transport workers) to strike, but he hoped that wiser counsels wbuld yet prevail. No good purpose would be served by proceeding with the discussion on tho calling up of tho reserves. Mr J. R. Clynes (Labour, Manchester) said tho Labour Party shared that view Between now and Friday other counsel) might prevail and other- steps be taken. It is understood that the taking of the census will bo postponed if the strike begins. The Labour correspondent of "Tho Times" states that the deadlock must be" regarded as most serious, because tho miners will never readily abandon the oherished demand for a national pool, which they regard as the halfway-nonse towards nationisation. PROTECTING THE MINES. TROOPS AT PIT HEADS. LONDON, April 13. A large body of miners at midnight intimidated the signalmen at Thornton Junction in Fifeshire, and forced them to leave their boxes. Heavy goods traffic was delayed for hours. The mob considerably damaged the rolling stock. They raided a number of goods trains and perishable goods were removed. Policemen drove the rioters from the railway yards. The junction is now in the possession of police and naval ratings. (Received April 16th, 12.5 a.m.) LONDON, April 14. Rioting continues in a few mining districts, especially in East Fife, where marines and soldiers have now arrived to protect the volunteers, who are firing the boilers of the pumping plants. It ib hoped to resume pumping at midnight Soldiers stand at the pit-heads with fixed bayonets, and wearing steel helmets. Their rifles are loaded, and Lewis guns are placed above the pithead works. The misers are taking tho situation philosophically, standing outside the steel wire barriers flinging gibes at the stolid Highlanders standing on guard. DUTCH TRANSPORT WORKERS' THREAT. (Received April 14th, 10.50 p.m.) AMSTERDAM, April 13. The transport workers at Rotterdam have decided that if a general strike is proclaimed in Britain, they will refuse to tranship goods from or to Britain.