BRITISH LABOUR CRISIS.

Hokitika Guardian, 16 April 1921, Page 3

BRITISH LABOUR CRISIS.

* AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. * PREMIER AND DIRECT ACTION (Received Tnis Day at 8 a.m.) LONDON, April 14. Lloyd George told the Miners’ Lead--3 ers that “When the miners are willing 1 to sit at tha table with the owners and Government to consider the amount of 1 wages the mines can pay, wo shall bo 3 willing to resume negotiations.” The question of State control was a. political one, and must be decided by political methods, not by strikes. He asked them not to commit themselves to what was equivalent to direct action by seeking to paralyze the whole life of 3 the community. 3 It is reported that if the dockers . strike Government intends to supply volunteer labour fo discharge food cargos. HOPE OF SETTLEMENT. , “THE TIMES” SERVICE. ■ LONDON, April 15. The “Times” states that unexpectedly the hope of a settlement comes from two quarters. Mr Hodges, addressing a crowded meeting of Commoners stated the miners were prepared to discuss the question of wages separately and inrniediately, provided the proceedings were not regarded as part of the terms of a permanent settlement. In other words, t the Federation was ready to make a 2 temporary settlement of the wages bas--3 is without prejudice to the larger , claims for a national agreement and a . national pool. f Independently of this offer coal owners through Mr Bainsford offered to meet the miners leaders and discuss the broad question of wages. The owners offered to forego any immediate return and to hold a monthly wage meeting. GENERAL WORKERS. r " (Received this day at 8 a.m.) LONDON, April 14. Apart from surprise at the meeting l at Downing Street the chief interest 1 of the day lias been whether the Gener--1 al Workers’ Federation would add an- ; other lj- millions to the strikers. After s long private discussion, the conference ■ adopted a resolution that it would sup- * port tho Triple Alliance in the effort 5 to resist wholesale reductions of wages and conditions of labour. It is , understood this does not mean that the i Executive is calling a general strike immediately, A NOTH Ell CONFERENCE. (Received Tins Day at 8 a.m.) LONDON, April 15 A confercrce representing the combined labour movement also met and adapted a resolution that it is convinced of the justice of the miners claim and appealed to every citizen who cares for the well-being of the community to stand solidly against the attack on the workers’ position. The Conference condemned Government for making military preparations which were calculated to provoke public feeling and so create disorder. The problem of feeding the country must he solved by improvised methods of distribution, as no return to compulsory rations is possible, the departmental machinery no longer existing. Government is doing its best to cut down the public consumption of coal. It. is announced to-day that it would he impossible to obtain any coal for domestic use without a permit signed by a local authority. In any case householders would only he allowed half a hundred weight weekly. In order to assist local authorities in their work, Hon Lloyd George arranged that a member of the Government shall proceed as a civil Commissioner to each district into which England and Wales are divided under the emergency scheme. Thus Earl Lytton controls the northern district with headquarters at Preston and the Solicitor General for Scotland lias charge of the staff in I Scotland. GOVERNMENT PLAN. | LONDON, April 1L i Thus far the Government has not disclosed its plan of campaign, preferring to await beginning of strike to give every opportunity for a pence move, i Already it is evident that the machinery for feeding the country is getting into order in addition to Kensington ; Gardens and Regents Park. Government has taken over Hyde Park and is erecting tents and hutments. Marble arch will he devoted to a milk camp. Great convoys of Government lorries are gathering in the parks and these will be further increased by the latest Government proclamation of the commandeering of all horse and motor vehicles and drivers. Volunteers in large numbers, including many women driving their own cars, are offering their ' services. London taxi cabs will continue to ply, hut advises members that they must only carry passengers, not merchandise. A Transporters instructions leaflet declares the Triple Alliance power will prove greater than Government and employers now foresee members of Unions must avoid violence or provocative actions. Every attempt made to des--1 troy Trade Unionists power by Black- ‘ leg labour, will be countered by a strike ’ directors using offers of outside union help as they deem best. 1 If the conflict is widened till it 3 includes all the forces, Government and employers are able to command against - the whole force of organised labour, the only result can he success of the latter. English tourists are hurrying home e from France and Riviera whence all trains are overcrowded. A similar exos dns from all London main stations. Trains are crowded with homeward bound passengers .

’j WOLFE’S SCHNAPP" -A"-e-ahh and benc fi cinl. A tonic beverage, jf Thickness of tread is a big feature o ■ e NORTH BRITISH SOLTD TYRES fo [ e nil types of trucks. Replacements are very small indeed. 5- WOLFE’S SCHNAPPS has stimulat ing effect on the whole system.

■ CABLE NEWS.