BRITISH LABOUR CRISIS.

Hokitika Guardian, 6 April 1921, Page 2

BRITISH LABOUR CRISIS.

CABLE NEWS.

MANNING THE PUMPS. I BY' TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSN., COPYRIGHT. AUSTRALIAN & N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION] LONDON, April 4. Officials and volunteers have averted immediate danger from Hooding in the South Wales mines. Many ex-service men and ex-naval engineers are volunteering for mine pumping. Bifrmingham ad London University students have offered to devote t.ieir holidays thereto. "Lingfield races have been abandoned at the Government’s request. A BLACK OUTLOOK. LONDON, April 4. At the Transport Workers Executive meeting, an assurance was given that the Unions concerned with shipping were prepared to withdraw all members, if the Triple Alliance agreed upon a general down tools policy. A leading transport official said that only an official effort to reopen the negotiations, on a decision by the Commons to rescind the coal control would prevent a general industrial upheaval in the nioxt forty-eight hours. Railwayman's delegations meet tomorrow mdrning. Extreme elemnts in South Wales are becoming restive and there is much stone and brick throwing in Swansea district in order to prevent volunteers workig the pumping, or feeding the starving pit ponies. A NAVAL PRECAUTION. LONDON, April, 4. Official —All Navy men on Piaster leave have been recalled as. a precaution. OWNERS CONTENTION. LONDON, April 4. Mr Evan Williams, president of the Coal Owners Association, points out that the wage figures of the Miners Federation are based on a five day week whereas the average week is 51 or 6 days. He claimed that, taking the country as a whole, the wage of the miners under the owners offer wool he £2 per week above the 1914 wage. EFFORTS TO CURTAIL STRIKE. LONDON, April 4. A number of Labour leaders are making an earnest effort to prevent the spread of the strike to the Triple 'Alliance. An essential preliminary is stated to be a resumption of c-oal negotiations, thus stopping hasty decision. Among those working for peace are Messrs Thorne Henderson. Bowerman, and Sexton, who urge the Government to call a. conference and arrange a National wage agreement.

-WAGE REDUCTION. LONDON, April 4. The Cleveland ironstone miners have agreed to a further reduction in wages of 3/- per day, making 5/- in five weeks. EMERGENCY POWERS EDICT. LONDON, April -4. The Government, under the Emergency Powers Act have issued regulations empowering State Departments to operate or control the mines, t transport, the docks, the gas works, power stations, and similar public service. TRADE DEPRESSION IN ENGLAND. LONDON, April 4. Four hundred vessels are now docked at Cardiff. The number is continually increasing. Several shipping firms are hard hit by the trade depression and are threatened with ruin. OWNERS NEW WAGE PROPOSALS. LONDON, April 4. The Miners Federation to-night issued a detailed list of the proposed new rates of wages as compared with 1914. The Miners Federation state the wages offered show a reduction from 1914 rates varying from 11 per cent, up to 49 per cent, according to the district. Commenting on the list ■Mr Hodges (Miners’ Secretary), says it means a reduction below the miners pre-w;ir stand, aid of life. In view of the fact that the cost of living is now 141 per cent above the pre-war level, the miners would be placed in a worse position t'lan the sweated trades.

statement in commons. (Received This Day at 10.40 a.m.) LONDON, April 5. Tn the Commons Sir .R. Horne said as a result of the last strike, Britain was robbed of many markets. The present threat had resulted in many orders iroing to America. Miners refused to discuss wages with owners but demanded a Government subsidy. The present controversy was not about rates, but whether the country was to come to the assistance of the coal trade, involving an expenditure of ten millions a year. He could think of nothing more pernicious to industry as a whole, which had better chances than other industries. Pooling would destroy individual enterprise. The alternative was the payment of district rates. The suggestion that decontrol should be suspended for a month offered no solution. He appealed to the miners to reconsider the situation.

MEETING OF DELEGATES

(Received This Day at 8.40 a.m.) LONDON, April 5. Four hundred delegates representing thirty-five unions comprising the transporters Federation are meeting privately. They considered the sectional dis.trict report and adjourned until Wednesday, after issuing an official dis- • claimer of press reports regarding the decision of the dockers Executive cabled yesterday, which they "declare are without foundation.