STRIKE SETTLED

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 10, 7 October 1919, Page 7

STRIKE SETTLED

THAT BROKE THE HOLD-UP

£300,000 LOST IN STRIKE PAY

MEN'S LEADERS CLAIM A

VICTORY

Bj Tolocraph-Press AewciaUon-Copyrlrt:

London, October 5. Official: Tho railway strike has been settled.

Official: The terms of settlement provide that wages shall remain unaltered till the end of September, 1920, and that no adult railwayman shall receive less than 51s. per week whilo the cost of living is-over-110 per cent, above the prewar rate. The settlement also provides for the immediate resumption of work to be followed by the resumption of negotiations for stabilising wages in various grades, which is to be completed by tho end of the year. The rates may be reviewed after August 1, 1920, in accordance wifli fh'6 circumstances then existing. The week's wages due to strikers is also to to paid. The union guarantees that loyalists and others who returned to work during tne striKe will not be unprejudiciallv treated by the strikers. A large crowd in Downing Street vociferously cheered the announcement of tlio settlement. They gave 'an ovation to Messrs. Cramp, Bromley/ and Thomas as tliev left. Mr. Thomas shouted: "It's all over, boys.' Work will be resumed on Monday." ,

An Amicable Settlement. The final stage of tho negotiations at Downing Street was conducted in the' most amicable manner, with an absence of the former bitterness. Tho whole situation was discussed frankly. Mr. Lloyd George briefly explained the new offer with, which it was hoped to re-, open the negotiations. _ The railwaymen and other trade unionists retired to separate rooms subsequently, and conferred together. Mr. Llovd George invited the delegates to remain for lunch, which was a jovial function. After another short consultation Mr. Gosling and Mr. Thomas ■ announced the acceptance of tho offer. Mr. Thomas thanked Mr. Lloyd George and Mr. Bonar Law for their patience and consideration. Mr. Lloyd George paid a tribute to the conciliatory spirit with which the delegates had eoiiduoted the negotiations. If all Labour organisations acted in tho same way, they would enter a new era of industrial peace and prosperity.—Aus.-N,7/. Cable Assn.

LESSONS OF THE-STRIKE. FACTORS IN THE RAILWAYMEN'S DEFEAT. (Rec>Octobe." G, 10.10 p.m.) London, October !i. It is too soon yet to sum_ up all the lessons of , tho strike, but it is clear that in so . far as it was an attempt to hold up the Government it lias been a gigantic failure. The railwaymen were out for eight ilavs, and spent dC.'iOO.OOO of strike pay-' without result. Tiiev never suc..•eeded at any time in imperilling tho life of the nation. For this result ftio factors were chiefly responsible—the admirablo organisation of the emergency cervices by tho Government, and the courageous and cheerful acquiescence of the whole of the public in its temnqrary inconvenience.—Router.

. LIGHTNING TACTICS PROVED WORTHLESS. . (Rec. October 7, 1 a.m.) London, October G. J[r. J. R. Clvnes, M.P., writes in tho "Daily News":""ln spite of an apparent advantage it is proved that lightning strikes are more liable to fail than notified strikes, because the public is indignant when suddenly put to loss and inconvenience." i Mr. Clynos warns tho men that they must learn to look upon the public as their jury, whose support must bo secured.—United Service.

MEN DISCUSS THE SETTLEMENT A VICTORY CLAIMED. (Rec. October 7, 0.10 a.m.) London. October 5. Tuesday's trades union conforence has beon abandoned. The railwavmen's demonstration crowded tho Albert Hall in the evening.' Messrs. Thomas and {'.ramp were given ovations when they appeared on the,platform. Mr. Craiui) described the strike as the greatest fijsht of- organised workers in history. They hail won the. battle, not merely for themselves, but for all the workers. The settlement was the best that could possibly liavo beon obtained. He urged tho railwaymen to resume as solidly as they had, struck. Mr. Thomas said that he was glnd they had succeeded in keeping the dispute to-a simple wajes ifsue, avoiding the dangers which might have arisen if. other factors had been introduced. The railwaymen did not desire to defeat the Government. The'settlement was such as justified their nctioij and vindicated the' Railwaymen Executive. The rail•waymen could now resume without a trace of bitterness, because they had achieved a s»ttlcment/whioh, thanks to Mr. Lloyd Georgj, was an honourable one on both sides,

The meeting; carried a resolution accepting the settlement and agreeinj; to return to work to-morrow.—Aus.-N.Z. (.'able Assn. ' ■ •