COAL MINES’ TROUBLE

Hokitika Guardian, 2 April 1921, Page 3

COAL MINES’ TROUBLE

NEWS.

' BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSN., COPYRIGH AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION RAMSAY MACDONALD SPEAKS. LONDON, March 31. Ramsay Macdonald writing in tl “Forward” warns the miners tin to strike now would be disastrous f( the labour movement. Capital will n< suffer if every iniife is idled for a wee tor' two. The majority of the work markets are overstocked, and it is good time for a holiday, and capitalisi will be relieved. Lloyd George will 1 provided with good texts for his ne> scare speech. . NO SABOTAGE. LONDON, April 1. Apart from the withdrawal of th pumpmem, which the miners’ leader consider to'he quite legitimate industrial warfare, all the miners agent are advising the men to refrain fron any sabotage, which would place then outside tho privileges of the Dispute Act. Instead of sabotage the Miners' Fede ration advise the men to adopt an or ganised passive resistance, national AGREEMENTS WANTE l LONDON, April 1. While there is stated to be no pro sent indication that the rank and fib of the Alliance desire a fight, yet Mi Gosling (the Transporters president) says: “This is not only a miners’ question, but will affect us in the sarm way, because it is an attempt to revert to the system of district negotiation, instead of national agreements. Mr Cramp, the Rail way men's secretary, says that his Executive regards the position as the prelude to a general attempt to destroy the practice of national negotiations and to reduce wages. A GREAT LABOUR CRISIS. LONDON, April 1. There is a general tendency to regard the Labour crisis as more serious than any similar crisis yet. In tho first place, the miners have now directly appealed to the Triple Alliance for its active support; whereas previously they were content to leave their two partners of the Fed eration free to make their own decision. Secondly tho Railwaymen and the Transport leaders declare that this is the first engagement in a prolonged struggle on the wage reduction question and one affecting them equally with the-miners , RAILWAY MEN TO JOIN. LONDON, April 1. The “Daily Chronicle” says—As the decontrol of the railways comes in Au- • gust, the rail way mens’ leaders state that it is in their interests to join now in the miners’ fight, instead of waiting for the expiration of the control. It is understood the railway--men will propose next week that the Triple Alliance will not handle any coal for the railways. This would bring the railways to a standstill. No coal O*" will be loaded for export. NO UNEMPLOYMENT PAY. LONDON, April 1. It i*t understood that the Government have decided that the miners are not entitled to any pay as this is a trade dispute. The miners angrily resent this decision. ( KING’S PROCLAMATION. LONDON, April 1. The King lias issued a proclamation declaring a state’ of emergency, under the Emergency Powers Act of 1920. LABOR MINISTER WAITS. LONDON, April 1. Sir Robert Horne waited at the Board of Trade all day yesterday, hoping that the Miners’ Executive would seek for another interview with him before ordering the men to cease work. The Executive left London for the coal districts without sending the l.ahour minister any parting message. TO PROTECT MINES. LONDON, April 1. It is understood that the Government are unable to guarantee that the naval stokers will run pumps at the coal mines. The duty of protecting the mines will devolve on the coal owners, whose managers, overseers and others outside the Miners’ Federation, will do their best to keep tho pits pumped. GENERAL STRIKE STARTS. LONDON, March 31. The coal miners are eveywhere bringing up their tools and pit ponies. Even at Durham the men art; striking. Fifty thousand miners are striking there though they had just before voted in favour of a district settlement. SOME ENGINEMEN STAY ON. >.. There are indications that the response to the miners call upon tin* enginemen and the pumpmen is not likely to be generally obeyed. The South Wales, Yorkshire, and Scottish enginemen have decided to remain at work. STRIKE NOW IN FULL SWING (Received This Day at 8.30 a.in.) LONDON, April 1. The strike is now in full swing. Pumping is being maintained at most of the mines. STRIKE NOT WANTED. * LONDON, April 1. The Sctotish miners frankly admit , they never entered upon a. strike with Jess enthusiasm.