BRITISH LABOUR CRISIS.

Hokitika Guardian, 18 April 1921, Page 3

BRITISH LABOUR CRISIS.

CABLE NEWS

BY TPLEGRAPH —PRESS ASSN., COPYRIGHT. AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. - ANXIETY STILL. i . ... LONDON, April 10 , .The “Times” states that news from the storm centres is awaited with a • certain amount of anxiety. It is estimated that the Government’s precautionary measures have cost the taxpayers £50,000,000. PLEA FOR REPRESSION. * LONDON, April 10 The “Morning Dost” says:—Recent | events have undoubtedly impressed on * the public mind that the time bas come ■ when'•'the' powerful Trade Unions must be taught that it is not their business to govern the country. Means must be found to restrain their operations within ligitimate limits. The great trade unions have combined to impose a new tyranny on the community and to usurp the functions of Parliament.” LABOUR PAPER SPEAKS. HEAVY DEFEAT FOR LABOUR. LONDON, April 10

The London Labour paper says:— “Yesterday’s was the heaviest defeat that has befallen the Labour Movement within the memory of man. It is'useless:. trying to minimise it. One misunderstandng or mistake such as air Hodges made could not have stopped the strike and brought about the present disaster. Not one—not a hundred —not a thousand such trivialties could have affected the issue if the whole Movement had been solid in organisation and understanding. That, is where the fatal weakness lies. What we need is new machinery and a new spirit. The only rm--4’i”"ry has failed in. the hour of emergency. Out of this ciash can come a bigger and a better fight on broader lines. Sectionalism m the weakness of the Labour Movement, and it must be discarded. THE STRIKE BREAKERS. THOMAS DICTATES TO MINERS LONDON, April . 16. Details of the Conference which led to the abandonment of the striko on Friday show that Mr Thomas M.P., (Railway Secretary), in the morning, informed the miners that they shou'd accept Mr Hodges’s proposal to discuss wages without conditions. Under the circumstances, he said, lie did not feel like calling out the railway men. A majority of the Executive of the Executive of the Transporters were of the same opinion as Thomas. The majority of the Executive ot the Transporters then returned to their headquarters, and continued their conference alone. The discussion there developed into an acrimonious wrangle, before the fateful dcision was taken. When the result of the vote was announed, in favour of the cancellation of the strike, an uncanny silence prevailed for almost a minute. Then an angry shout arose:—“Traitors! You have left your pals in the lurch!” This arose from the extremists. Apparently it was the transpoiters, along with one or two railwnymen, who carried the cancellation resolution, rather than a postponement. One transport delegate said: “We •re sick of the whole damned business.” SENSATION IN PARLIAMENT. LONDON, April Hi. The decision of the Triple Alliance caused a sensation in the House of Commons. The first intimation that the strike was off came by a telegram to Mr Lloyd George. Mr Clynes was unaware of the change, and was actually telling the House that the railwnymen and the transporters could not desert their comrades. Then Mr Lloyd George rose and announced the Alliance’s decision to call off the strike, amid unprecedented excitement, emotion and cheering. The next stage was tho sending out of wires by Mr Thomas (Railwayman) and Mr Cramp (Transporters) announcing that the strike had been cancelled, and ordering all men to remain at work. FEELING THE PINCH. HOPE OF SETTLEMENT. (Received This Day at 10.40 a.m.) HENDON, April 17. The miners leaders are out of towi conferring with the dismayed follower: on the coalfields. ’There is the bitteresl of feeling amo»ng the miners at bein' left in the lurch by the railwnymen aiu ■transporters, especially as their exchequer is fast emptying and man; families are approaching dcstitutioi despite the shortness of the strike. - snap of showy frosty leather is in creasing the hardships. Many house holds are faced by a lack of coal, evei in the mining districts. Many Soutl Staffordshire bakers have coal for onl; two more days baking. In view of these circumstances tine is a general hop e that the extremist will see the folly of prolonging th struggle. When the delegates retm to London on Thursday it is hoped the will have authority to partake of a eoi „ ferenoe on wages with the owners ar Government, who emphasise that : the offers made, are still open. THE WEIGHT OF MODERATES. (Received This Day at 8.30 -m.) LONDON, April 16. The general conclusion regarding t strike development is that the Co: inunist element, though exceedingly a cal, represents a very small minority British workers, whereof the great n jority are law-abiding citizens, wh< voices are not heard in the delibei tions of their unions, but whose weig was Irresistibly felt at such a cri that just past. NEW STRIKE LEGISLATION. (Received this day at 9.30 a.m.l LONDON, April 17 The Sunday Express lobbyist sta the Government is considering r strike legislation aimed primarily direct action methods.