THE STRIKE AND AFTER

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 11, 8 October 1919, Page 7

THE STRIKE AND AFTER

RESULT ANALYSED HEAVY BLOW AT DIRECT ACTION GOVERNMENT'S FIRMNESS By Telegraph-Press Association-Copyright London, October G. It is estimated that Hie strike cost tho Government ,£1,900,000 a day. Probably the cost to the nation will aggregate Mr. Thomas (general secretary of the National Union of Railwaymen) and Mr. Bromley, (secretary of the Locomotive Engineers' Union) dispatched 1550 telegrams to branches of the Railwaymen's Union, instructing the members to return to work' immediately, as tho terms were satisfactory to everybody. _ The telegrams arrived at many provincial centres during tho holding of mass meetings, some of which had already decided to support the railwaymon—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

THE SPIRIT OF THE MEN AS SHOWN AT THE ALBERT HALL. London, October 5. The spirit with, which the settlement ivns received was shown at the Albert Hall. The audience of five thousand, after cheering the appearance of Thomas on the platform, sung "Abide with Me" most impressively. Therailwaymeu at Penrath held a thanksgiving service. There were scenes of rejoicing at all the great railway centres. Mr. Thomas, ia announcing the result at tho Albert Hall, said, nothing was more dangerous or moro calculated to imperil tho life of the State than to enter upon a war in which one section of tho community was warring against, the community as a whole. In a challenge to the State, whichever side won, disaster must follow. If the challengers won, the only alternative would be the end of constitutional Government. If the State won, bitterness would follow, _ which would be a danger to thecommunity. Ho recognised that citizenship/was greater than seotional interest. The railwaymen had no quarrel with the Conctitution of the country. They bad como out solid, and they remained solid; He wished them to resume work equally solidly. He did not want to claim n great victory, because, they could only win a victory over an. enemy. They regarded the result as an honourable settlement with which overybody must bo pleased.—Reuter. LABOUR LEADERSINTERVIEWED London, October G. . The Labour leaders have been interviewed, and generally emphasise that all workers will eventually 'benefit by the concessions obtained, for the ruilwaynien, and that there will be increased solidarity amongst trade unions. Mr. Hodges (Miners.' Federation) says tho lesson of tho strike* is that the wliolo of the trade unions ".mist be consulted when a strike of this magnitude is contemplated, and much more comprehensive plans made before any movement is undertaken. Mr. O'Grady- (General Workers' Federation) said that all now realise that the trade union movement is a big factor in the industrial life of the nation. Neither strike nor lock-out is possible unless a vital issue is involved. * Mr. Thomas announces that the men generally are accepting tho settlement. Some refuse to work with "black-legs" or volunteers. He reminds tho cx-strikers that tho victimisation applies to both sides. Ho declares that tho nation was never nearer civil war, but had emerged from the great trial successfully.—Reuter, BACK TO WORK ALLEGED VICTIMISATION. (Rec. October 7, S.lO p.m.) London, October G. Tho railwayinen everywhere have resumed duty. ■ There were a few cases of alleged victimisation, but these were quickly adjusted. Tho Ministry of Transport announces that as soon as the surplus of the Government motor lorries have finished the food distribution, they will be available to relievo the congestion oil the railways and at the ports.—Aus.-N.JS. Cable Assn.

MEASURES FOR AVERTING STRIKES CONCILIATORY MACHINERY. (Rec. October 7, 11.30 p.m.) London, October G. The. "Daily Express" loarns that tlio Government'is considering measures for developing conciliatory machinery for ail industries in order to reduce tho possibility of strikes. It intends to create a system of arbitration courts with a supremo appeal tribunal!. The Government looks to the joint Industrial Council as a helpful agency. Mr. Gosling announces that one of tho results of tho strike- xs a suggested central enecntivo empowered to act for the whole of trades unionism in negotiations with tho Government, with a viow to preventing stoppings.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. ' PRESS OPINIONS ON THE RESULT t London, October G. The newspapers emphasise that the settlement ensures tho peaceful working oi tho railways for twelvo- mouths, and affords an opportunity for the reconstruction of tho main industries of tho country. The "Daily Telegraph" hopes that peace will endure. The result achieved by -the Government's firm stand proves that any more'wild and desperate attempts to dominate the community will be jnet w'.th the same determination and crusliingly defeated. The "Daily Express" says the Government has made a generous and wiso concession. The "Morning Post" declare? that .the strike -was an experiment in d'rect action which the revolutionaries hud long been threatening, and it has' ended m disastrous and ignominious failure. Other trado unions, instead of following fie railwaymen's insane lend, entered into negotiations with tho Government, thus performing a. great service to t.he State. The "Daily N?ws" says that defeat of the Government would have been n disastrous blow at the Constitution; defeat of tho men would have involved ruin to trade unionism, because the unions had re-solved to go. under with the railwavine'n. The contest ended with credit to all concerned. The "Daily Chronido" says that Mr. Lloyd George rose to a great, occasion, and prevented the most memorable strike in our history develon'ng to its full rcalisuHon and catastrophe. The nowspanevs -renernlly comment ov the ab c ence of Bolshevik ideas amongst th" workers. "The T'mes" e tates thnt "Mr. Tbntn°= finally triumphed o"p tV prroup of extremist' in the railwayman's executive on Sunday afternoon, when he courageously insisted on the acceptance of the terms. The "Westminster Gazette" savs thai events have dispelled the idei of a B-'l-«lievik ennsnirnry nmoii7?t the unions. T'"> lenders a°tivl rovers"lv lo the rernlut;wpTies. dnincr th" : '' utmost eo"Hie fli«pu(<- " 11,1 i>«l»«vo n moderate settlement.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Atwi. "IR'RFSIRTTP TTI s nrT * T - CHANGE" IN PROGRESS. London, Oi'Hrer G. "The Times," in n leader, said t';" chief credit fc tlie settlement re-ts with the Cnncil iation Commit!??. which spciirpfl from llio (lovormnpnt. nnd tli-n used the utimwl procure ;v:rn the I"'i!u-iivincn. '!'!"■ only victor' - i< (o the geii"!"'l mildie. v.'lii''li "t'"v''d 't-' Munch' jt"-l |i de'^'iit - section;!l mi'l'lie fi|Hh»"'iinr" prov. cd tlint the re-'il< nf Mi" dovn'rmiin'i! of p'oehinerv. end fire!•• !■—ll "'"ln- .-t----vices. I liiit n sir-wIV of til" enuiii'iiir'fv i> ~i!ile. -u-p |1, lp-j)!'pHn "".1 £>:atible social change of great magnitude,

bringing n higher economic and .social status for tho wage-earners. This should be frankly accepted, and the readjustments made."—"The Times." COMMENT IN FRANCE. (Rec. October 7, 8.10 p.m.) Paris, October G. The newspapers applauded Mr.-Lloyd Geurgo's firmness in defence of his principles, and declare that tho manner of settlement will definitely chock the spread of revolutionary action.—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn. MR. LLOYD GEORGE TAKES A REST. London, October G. After conveying tho news of the settlement of the strike to the King at Buckingham Palace, Mr. Lloyd George motored to the count it-for a short rest.—Aus.•N.Z. Cable Assn.