IN IRELAND.

Hokitika Guardian, 7 June 1920, Page 2

IN IRELAND.

By Electric Telegraph—Copyrign-.f

RAILWAYS AND IRELAND

LLOYD GEORGE’S FIRM "STAND

(Received this day at 9.30 a.m.)

LONDON, June 5. Thomas, Secretary of the Railwaymen’s Union states his executive interviewed Hon Lloyd George and asked for a special British, and special Irish ■ Trades Union Congresses to try to bridge the gulf, between the British people and the Government, i Hon Lloyd George replying, regretted : the attitude of the ; Irish Railwayman ■ aiid stated Government could not tolerate any discrimination in regard to various classes of goods. Government was bound to take every step to maintain order. The Premier pointed, out that trades unionism now sought to influence political decisions, not by ordinary machinery of thp State/ but by threats of disorganising industries./ of the country. That was a serious issue, which lie took up at opce. He regarded it as a complete abdication "by Government, if they were in the least to ‘countenance the demand. The issue raised was similar to the recent issue inFrance, which ended so disastrously for Trades Unionism in France. He declined to believe that the National Union of Rail way men would embark on a policy, which the Trade Union Congress absolutely refused to sanction, in connection with another important matter qf public policy.' , ■ Mr Thomas said he reognised that to support the. strikers in Ireland meant the declaration of war on the, Government.