BRITISH LABOUR CRISIS.

Hokitika Guardian, 2 May 1921, Page 3

BRITISH LABOUR CRISIS.

BY TELEGRAPH—PRESS ASSN., COPYRIGHT.

-vfc" GOVERNMENT WAITING

LONDON, April 29. It is quite possible that next week there may be a move towards peace on behalf of the general body of labour. Under existing circumstances, the Cabinet is disposed to wait two or thre ? da vs before imposing any fresh restrictions to fight the fuel shortage. The - Government will not add to public in convenience until they learn how the various districts regard the Miners dele . gates rejection of the ten million subsidy offer. MINE OWNERS’ STATEMENT’. LONDON, April 29. y The mine owners have issued a state- ' ment admitting that they realise that no amount of wages, without a national pool, will be acceptable to the miners The owners say they think the men have been kept in the dark. The owners feel convinced that what is keeping the men from work is not the question of wages but the idea of the pool’ which exists in the minds of their leaders.

A PITCHED RATTLE

-LONDON, April 295.

Riotous scenes occurred in AVoodlesford, Leeds, owing to the miners 4 Rothwell, a neighbouring village, determining to stop coal scratching which is producing 50 tons daily, to the intense satisfaction of colliers in \N oodles ■ ford.

A hundred young colliers left Rothwell and ordered the hawkers and drivers who were awaiting coal to leave. Then 400 of the “scratches” wh> were working in the dumps, armed themselves with shovels and sticks, an 1 thev rushed upon the Rothwell contingent of 100. A long fight followed. Finally ti Rothwell men’s ranks had to break and they fled. The Rothwell men, however, during the afternoon, returned to the attack, when they were reinforced to the extent of 400- However, they found 800 colliers awaiting them at Woodlesforl. They attacked the carts on the road, tipping out the coal on the roadside. Finally a force of police intervened. The invaders then withdrew.

Similar scenes are reported at Leigh, in Lancashire, where some invaders were thrown into a river.

REJECTING GOVERNMENT’S OFFER. (Received This Day at 8 n.m.) LONDON, April 30. Notts, Bristol, Lancashire, and Cheshire miners endorsed the rejection of the Government, offer, and decided 1o continue support of the policy of a national settlement. LOSS OF WAGE. LONDON, April 20. On March figures the coal miners have already lost £21,000,000 in wages Owing to a shortage of coal, shorttime has commenced at Vickers shinyard at Barrow. LONDON REPORTS. LONDON, April 29. Some of the mining districts are sti’lbent on a. fight to a finish. It is stated that 20,000 of the miners in South Yorkshire would gladly return to work on terns like the Government offers though these men are anxious to be loyal to tbe Miners' Federation.

Some good judges say they are also convinced a ballot among the men in South^Wales would end in acceptance of a Government offer. This offer s that wages shall be reduced not more than 3s 6d in June and 3s in July. , - s gome of the great trade unions am being badly hit by the miners’ strike. Owing to the ever increasing unemployment, it is necessary to go on paying unemployment benefits.

SCOTTISH DOCKERS ATTITUDE

(Received This Day at 9.45 a.m.) LONDON, May 1

Scottish dockers have appealed to the transport Executive to convene immediately a Triple Alliance delegate conference, and failing support of the railwaymen, to arrange that transporters cooperate with the miners in a strike.

A LABOR VIEW

.Received This Day at 9.45 a.m.) LONDON, May 1

Mr Clynes, speaking, at Manchester, said the gallantry of our soldiers gave the Government unmeasured power to frame a lasting peace, secure disarmament, and win freedom. That power had been recklessly wasted. If the international policy of the Labour Party had been followed, there would have been no war. Out of every twenty shillings of taxation, eleven shillings were being spent on capital borrowed during the war. As the middle classes subscribed most of this money, he was surprised they gave so much support to the Government.

THE COAL DEADLOCK

UNITED SERVICE TELEGRAMS. (Received this day at 12.30 p.m.) LONDON, May 1. The week-end brought no change in the coal deadlock. Both sides are sitting tight, waiting for each other to make the next move. There is-a steady undercurrent among tho men to secure a settlement on the basis of a satisfactory wage. A national ballot is suggested though np defiinte move has yet been taken to discard the national pool claim. Meanwhile, distress is growing apace. In most districts the union funds are exhausted. Other unions are giving limited help, and special subscription lists have been opened to feed the women and children.