UNLAWFUL ACT.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 18690, 13 May 1926, Page 9

UNLAWFUL ACT.

CABINET CONSDDERS STRffiE.

FIRM STAND TAKEN.

(Stdjcxt "Suit" Skbtick.) (Received May 12th, 8.35 p.m.) LONDON, May 12. The "Daily Mail" says that Cabinet has discussed Mr Justice Astbury's judgment, and has considered bringing iu a Bill making such strikes illegal.

It has also decided to adhere to the resolve not to negotiate while the genera] strike proceeds. Sir Herbert Samuel's efforts to persuade the owners and miners to resume their parleys were made entirely on his own initiative. It is understood that tho owners arc now unwilling to resume negotiations at the point where .tlicv were broken off.

The "Daily News" and "Star" published a combined four-page paper, the first issue since the strike. A special correspondent suys that never iu the history of mining disputes have the Yorkshire coalfields been so quiet. The general conduct is exemplary. The Miners' Association has £600,000 for strike funds, which it is conserving by distributing half pay. Five thousand school-children are being fed twice a day.

A paragraph, emphasising that cricket is of minor importance for the moment, says that Hobbs, bareheaded, stood in the Strand watching the crowds unnoticed, whereas a wook ago he would have been in peril'of an affectionate mobbing. It is generally considered that the strike in Birmingham is collapsing. Seventy-five per cent, of the employees of the Bristol Tramways Works have ignored the Union's order to strike.

STUDENTS AS LABOURERS.

DEGREES TO BE CONFERRED

(AUSTRALIAN AND K.Z CABLE ASSOCIATION.)

(Received May 12th, 7.15 p.m.) LONDON, May 11,

In the Chancery Division, Mr Justice Astbury, in granting an injunction against certain branch officials of the Sailors' and Firemen's Union, said that tho so-called general strike started by thv Trades Union Congress was illegal and contrary to the law. Thoso inciting or participating in it wore not protected by the Trade Disputes Act, 1916. Oxford and Cambridgo Universities are practically deserted. ' Four thousand volunteers have been enrolled from each, including 150 from Oxford who are assisting to unload butter and other produce at Hay Wharf, Tooley street.

The Oxford examinations have been postponed till the month after the strike ends.

Cambridge has decided to confer honorary degrees on all except students seeking first-class honours, for whom examinations will be held as usual. Such conferment is unprecedented.

COMMUNIST ARRESTED

LONDON, May 11. Marjorie Pollitt, wife of the Communist lender Harry Pollitt, has been arrested and charged with being in unlawful possession of documents containing false statements, the publication of which would be in contravention of the emergency regulations, and likely to cause disaffection among the civil ■population. Mrs Pollitt was remanded on bail.

[Harry Pollitt was among the 12 Communists who last November we». * found guilty of unlawful conspiracy to publish seditious libels and incite to mutiny. Varying sentences were mposed, Pollitt and five others getting 12 months.]

STRIKE LEADER SNUBBED

LONDON, May 11

The "British Gazette's" Ostend correspondent interprets the decision that the Miners' 'Conference be held there as a severo snub for Mr Frank Hodges, because he wished to bind the foreigners to concrete promises, but the request for a Continental general strike broke down owing to the refusal of the Germans.

It was also shown that monetary assistance was impossible, because foreigners with depreciated currencies are unable to send sterling to Great Britain.

Mr Hodges denies that British Labour leaders appealed for a Continental general strike, which he says was discussed at the Ostend Conference.

RUSSIAN MONEY.

TO BE RETURNED TO UNIONS,

MOSCOW, May 11

The General Council of the Soviet Trade Unions announces that in consequence of the British Trades Union Congress's refusal to accept the proffered .2,250,000 roubles the money will be returned to the subscribing Russian trade unio.ns. but collections will bo continued and deposited to the credit of special relief funds for British miuers, and placed at the disposal of the Trades Union Council or Miners' Federation.

The Soviet Council adds that a special agreement for a united front by British and Soviet trade unions hat. been strengthened by the creation of an Anglo-Soviet Unity Committee.