LABOUR CRISIS IN BRITAIN

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 25, 25 October 1920, Page 5

LABOUR CRISIS IN BRITAIN

CONFERENCE OP UNIONS' EXECUTIVES CALLED ' MINERS AND GOVERNMENT TO RESUME NEGOTIATIONS RAILWAYMEN'S STRIKE . POSTPONED By Telegraph-Press Asuoclatfon-Coiiyrhrht (Keo. October 23, 5.5 p.m.) London, October 22. Mr. Bonar Law, speaking in the House of Commons, and 6ummjng up the strike situation, said tho position was still very grave. Ministers still continue to explore ev):ry avenue which may lead to a peace. The Parliamentary Committee of the Trade Union Congress met and decided to call a social congress of executives of affiliated unions for Wednesday to decide how best to help tho miners. The general beliotf is that this may parsuade .the ruilwaynien's executive ho hold its hand for the present. Tito Associated Society of Locomotive EngineniM has not yet decided to join the strike, at any rate the men will not come out on Sunday. Mr. Bromley, secretary, says he believes there will not be a railway strikii. The "Globe" states that Mr. J. IT. Thomas, when seen in the lobby of the House of Commons, said that in the event of a railway 6trike he would not lead it. "Meanwhile extremists continue attempts to inflame the,situation. Unruly South Wales ' miners to-day Adopted a resolution in favour of withdrawing all labour from the mines, including the pump hands. A motion that tho miners should work the mines during thy strike for their own benefit was rejected.—Aus.-N.Z, Cable A6sn.

HOPEFUL DEVELOPMENTS MINERS' EXECUTIVE TO REASSEMBLE. CRcc. October 24, 5.5 p.m.) London, October 22. It is now generally accepted that the motives of the Parliamentary Committee of the Trade Union Congress in intervening are to keep the situation under control and attempt to find a way towards giving a guarantee to the Government which would ena'ble tha Government to resume, negotiations with the miners. The committee in summoning the conference expressed n desire that no separate union should act in such a way as to defeat the efforts to ensure a united settlement of tl& matter, which was too important to allow of sectional action. Among the hopeful developments is the summoning of the Miners' Executive to London. Members had dispersed, stating that there was no need to remain in session. One of the first steps necessary towards a settlement was to inducp them to reassemble. Importance ' rtI aches to to-day's separate meetings (f the miners' and railwayman's executives, to be followed by a joint meeting. It is believed that tho miners- deprecate the railwayman's precipitate intervention, and it is generally lnoped that the Parliamentary Committee's request that no separate action be takom will lead to the railwayman postponing their strike threat, if not abandoning it in favour of U'O Parliamentary Committee's proposed conference on Wednesday—Aus.-N.4. Cable Assn.

INVITATION TO MINERS'EXECUTIVE . TO CONFER AGAIN WITH GOVERNMENT. (Rec. October 21, 5.5 p.m.) London, October 23. As a result of unofficial discussions lasting two days between Ministers and miners for a basis upon which to resume official negotiations with a prospect of settlement, Mr, Lloyd George has formally invited the miners executive to confer again .with the Government. Thereupon the miners requested the railwaymen's executive to postpone the railway strike, which the latter agreed to do—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

A PRELIMINARY MEETING GOOD PROSPECTS OP SETTLEMENT. (Rec. October 24, 11.5 p.m.) London, October 23. Mr. Lloyd George, in a. lotter to the miners' executive, suggests a preliminary'meeting between the Ministers nud several representatives of the executive to endeavour to arrive at a basis of settlement before the conference with the whole executive. The miners agreed and are sending four, officials, including Mt. R. Smillie and Mr. P. Hodges to meet Ministers at Downing' Street on Sunday morning. It .is unofficially stated that there are good prospects of settlement.— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. EFFECTS ON OTHER INDUSTRIES GREAT NUMBERS OF. WORKERS DISCHARGED. • (Rec. October 25, 0.10 a.ni) London, October 24. Owing to the miners' strike oilier workers discharged in England and AVales include 103,000 through reductions in 6taffs, and 90,000 have been placed on short time. The loss to Sheffield through cancelled contracts is nearly a quarter of a million. The cotton operatives in Lancashire will be placed on half-time owing to tho official restriction in the consumption of coal.—Aus-N.Z. Oabk; Assn. emergencyTpowers bill PROVISION FOR ISSUE OP REGULA- , TIONS. (See. October 24, 5.5 p.m.) London, October 23. The Emergency Powers Bill which the Government hopes to pass through all stages in the House of Commons on Monday is intended to deal with situations arising out of strikes threatening interference with the supply and distribution of food, water, fuel, light, and other necessities, or means of locomotion, The text of the Bill does not give details, but it embodies tho principle of the Defence of the Kealm Act, empowering the Government to pass regulations to meet any emergency and safeguard the public inteiest, as by the enforcement of military law in strike districts, to suppress violence or interference with food, etc: It also provides for the issue of le&vlalions to prevent speculators and profiteers exploiting the public in any way during strikes.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. -, BOLSHEVIK SYMPATHY FOR MINERS Berlin, October 22. The Bolshevist ladm-, Losofiski, has issued <i proclamation in the name of the Russian proletariat, assuring the British miners of Bolshevik sympathy.—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn.