STRIKE SITUATION

Hokitika Guardian, 20 October 1920, Page 1

STRIKE SITUATION

'AUSTRALIAN & N.Z. ASSOCIATION) LLOYD GEORGE'S REPLY. LONDON, October 18. Mr Lloyd George informed the Labour mayors that the London County Council was arranging to provide some, work for th<£ unemployed during the winter. He said a statement would be made in. Parliament on the subject. Mr Lloyd Gcorgo replied at length to the unemployment deputation. The deputation included the officials of the Ex-servicemen’s Organisations. The Premier said the Government was fully alive to the pledges it had given to the soldiers. It intended making the most liberal and generous provision ever made for unemployment after a war. The Government had placed definijte proposals before the London County Council to relieve unemployment, -and would provide half tb c necessary money. Mr Lloyd George added that the proposal must, first of all, be explained, to Parliament, but be indicated there., were housebuilding schemes providing employment for unskilled ex-Servicemen. This would be despite the building trade Unions vpto. A demonstration. LONDON,' October 18. The unemployed demonstration sn London was participated in by no fewer than ten thousand of London’s unemployed workers. Th e demonstration was, headed by the mayors of fifteen London boroughs. These boroughs are elect Labour Councils. The crowd marched to Downing Street. II included, many ex-soldiers and many idle workers, who were carrying red flags. The sight of the flags led to some scrimmages. Some of the reds flags were torn to pieces by a hostile element.

The latter became angered when the crowd raised cheers for “The Revolution.”

A similar disturbance occurred again in Downing Street, while the fifteen Labour Mayors were interviewing Mr Lloyd George at tli c Governnfent offices. The crowd finally broke through a police- cordon that was formed. The result was the use of mounted police. There was then som e stone throwing. Several icivili’ans were injured. At least twenty police were also injured. Finally mounted police were ordered “To clear Downing Street and Parliament street.” One Hundred people were tramped down. The demonstrators then continued the battle by flinging stones and bits of granite at the police over the walls until finally th e crowds were broken up. FURTHER PARTICULARS. LONDON, October 19. , Seventy pepons more were injur- , ed in the Whitehall in a riot. Twenty . ■ were removed ,on stretchers. Several are detained in hospital. i The genuine demonstrators there , numbered about fifteen thousand men. ] Mostly they are ex-service men. There , were many i The police and other witnesses state ' that the rioters numbered several ( thousand. Nearly all, they ..ssert t were hangers on, hooligans, East End- £ ers, or foreigners. They used the to- { ministration as a cover farlawlessness. f Towards the close of tfm riot one { jewellers shop in the Strand near Tia- { falgar Square was looted. 1 Another gang of rioters broke the i doors of the Junior Army and Navy ; Club, and ransacked bags and portman. . teaux in the vestibule. _ Police in strong force later patrolcd the streets in the neighbourhood of Tra- i falgar Square to prevent any further _ looting. further news. LONDON, October 18. | The “Daily Mail” states the Govern- . ment has not received any overtures from the strike leaders. Mr Thompson states the miners are suspicious of the Government, who are the chief obstacles to peace. , Some miners’ leaders believe the Government intend to force a general election simply on the plea that the cotuitrv must be guarded against any continued rise in wages, which is the real reason of the resistance shown to the miners demand. The Unionist paper “Morning Post , “There is a distinct likelihood of a general election soon. This would be as an outcome of labour’s current policy. The Government regards Labour’s stand as a challenge to constitutional rule, and may appeal thereon to the country. The Lord Mayor of London lias abandoned all the pageantry 'at th e Lord Mayors Show owing to the coal striko The Transporters’ Federation had. a meeting to-day. They halve still to decide on their policy regarding the coal strike. They meet again to-mor-row. LATER REPORT. LONDON, October 19. Later reports state there is ai widespread 1 inclination to take a hopeful view of the strike prospects. Many people believo a House of Commons debate will result in re-opening negotiations. Possibly the miners will lie conceded the 2s a day forthwith. It may be withdrawn after a certain period if a stipulated output is not attained