BRITISH COAL STRIKE

Hokitika Guardian, 11 April 1921, Page 2

BRITISH COAL STRIKE

CABLE NEWS.

TRIPLE ALLIANCE DECISION. BY TELEGRAPH- —PRESS ASSN., COPYRIGHT. AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. LONDON, April 8. It is officially announced that the Triple Alliance has decided to strike. THOMAS’S PROVISO. LONDON, April 8. Mr Thomas, M. P. (Railway Secretary) announces that the raihvaymen and the transport workers will strike at midnight on Tuesday, failing the re-opening of negotiations in the meantime.

MORE SOLDIERS CALLED UP. LONDON, April 9. The King lias called outside reservists and volunteers for active service. It is rumoured that in the event of Labour downing tools, the Government will close all the licensed houses in the large industrial areas until the dispute is ended 1 . STAND FIRM! LONDON April 9. ’ The Rev. Moll, a vicar at Newcastleon Tyne, has urged the miners *o stand firm. SCOTTISH PITS FLOODING. LONDON, April 9. One Scottish colliery expert says that within one week, eighty per cent of the Scottish coal pits will be unworkable, requiring a colossal expenditure to repair them, which the owners will lie unable to undertake unaided. He adds that navigation coal from Fife, from which the warships at Rosytli naval base are supplied, will not be available for months. north-eastern frremen. LONDON, April 8 The North-Eastern Railway Company’s Firemen’s Association lias decided to remain at work ill any event. The Northumberland collieVieS continue to be in good condition. Pumping also continues throughout Derbyshire. SYMPATHY IN AMERICA. OTTAWA, April 8 The Canadian Federation of Trades and Labour Council Executive have passed a resolution requesting the American Federation of Labour to urge the United Mine Workers of America to refuse to mine coal for export to England or for the use, of English ships during the strike. MINERS PROTEST. LONDON, April 9. The Miners’ Federation lus appealed against the Government’s decis’on to refuse unemployment pay to miners during the present stoppage of work.

Sir John Simon on behalf of the Federation, argued in the Court that Hie miners are unable to obtain suitable employment in so far as that the only offer was at a lower rate of pay than they have habitually obtained in their districts.

Sir Gordon Stewart, on behalf of the Ministry of Labour, contented that none, except for controversal purposes, could doubt that a dispute regarding wages was the cause of the stoppage. Clearly then it was a trade dispute. The Court disallowed the Federation’s claims.

transport WORKERS’ decision. LONDON, April 9 After consulting the railway delegates the Transport Workers have issued a communique stating that they have pledged themselves to help the miners in any way necessary. Their executive is empowered to act whenever the Triple Alliance thinks fit. Neither the railwaynieir nor i' e transporters definitely mention their intention immediately to strike. MILITARY CALLED UP. LONDON, April 9. In a supplement to the “Loud 1. Gazette,” there are a series of proclamations published, calling up the soldiers, the sailors, and the Air Force for service. Those called up include those entitled to he transferred to the Reserve. triple alliance DECISION. LONDON, April 9 At the close of the Railway-men and Transporters' Conference, Mr Thomas (Bnilwaymen’s Secretary), issued a statement as follows: —“This is the decision: That the joint meeting of he Executives have given notice to the '•nployers and to the Government that unless" negotiations are re-opened between the Miners’ Federation and the mine owners or the Government, the full strength of the strike power of the Tr iple Alliance shall be put into operation as from Tuesday next at midnight.’

ALLIANCE TO MEET PREMIER. LONDON, April 9. The transporters’ leader, Mr Cramnstates that a deputation of the lailwayrnen and the tansporters will see Mr Lloyd George at ten to-morrow in order to convey to him their decision regarding the strike. He adds that the Triple Alliance is strongly of the opinion that negotiations should he reopened without any conditions. Mr Lloyd George has replied to a letter from the Miners Federation, '[’he latter stated that the miners desire that they be left free to discuss every aspect with the owners.In' reply Mr Lloyd George, said he had never suggested that any limi.ations be imposed, but the preservati >n of the mines, which was a paramount national interest, and must he first discussed*and dealt with, He again invited the miners to the owners.