BRITISH LABOUR CRISIS.

Hokitika Guardian, 12 May 1921, Page 2

BRITISH LABOUR CRISIS.

8Y TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSN., COPYRIGHT. TRANSPORT STRIKE LIKELY. LONDON, May 10. In view of Mr Churchill making ominous statements at the luncheon to Mr McPherson, the newspapers regard the possibility of a transporters’ strike as most serious. They say that t,he railway “extremists” are taking advantage of the absence of Mr Thomas M.P. in America, and will try for a stoppage both of the railwaymen and the transporters. They believe they have the full support of the unions if they should be suspended or discharged for assisting the Miners Executive. COAL REPLACED BY OIL. " LONDON, May 10. The London County Council announce that they are adapting the machinery at the Greenwich Power Station in order to use oil fuel, instead of 'oal for the trams. The change will commence at Whitsuntide. The manufacturers in the Midlands are attempting to substitute oil fot coal. Oil is cheaper to handle, but hitherto it has been too dear. Now the price of oil can be halved. It will thus rival coal. The stoppage of coal- has given oil a start which will not be easily won back.

All over the country boilers are bong converted, and the results are repo-ted as better than expected. foreign coal pouring in. LONDON, May 10. It is authoritatively stated that large consignments of foreign coal are on the way from America- to England. It will be practicable to import millions of tons of coal from America alom. The municipalities of Brighton, Folkestone, and other seaside resorts are taking steps to obtain supplies of foreign ° c oal direct. These are to be unloaded and distributed by volunteer labour. The seaside resorts are losing great sums of money weekly owing to the absence of visitors. ARE TRANSPORTERS DIVIDED? LONDON, May 10. The London “Daily Express” says—Transporters had a, meeting that was stormy, and there was great divergence of opinion. Relations between Mr Williams and Mr Cramp are also exceedingly strained. Mr Cramp is beginning to realise he has landed himself in an extremely awkward mess. As national leader in Air Thomas’s absence he was not sure of his executive or men. Jt is probable Mr Cramp -.ml some of his executive will seek an interview with Sir Eric Geddes to-dav. CABINET DECISION. LONDON, May 10. The Cabinet held a meeting at which it decided to take most resolute addon in connection with coal for public utility services. MINERS CONCILIATORY. LONDON, May 10. Mr Smith, Miners’ leader, addressed a mass meeting oi tue Yorkshire muiers He said that though they could not abandon their principle, the miners wanted to get out of the trouble. They, however, would* not crawl out. If there were anything put forward by the other side which the miners thought they could accept, the Federation Executive would not liesitath to take a ballot on it.

The latest is that fresh conversations have commenced among the Labour leaders to see if the miners can be assisted to discover some new basis for negotiations. TRANSPORTERS DECISION LONDON, May 10. The Transporters' Federation had a four hours’ discussion this afternoon regarding the Scottish dockers’ demand for a renwal of the general strike. They also met to decide whether they would support a ban on sea-borne coal. ( The Executive passed a resolution to continue its policy and to tighten the embargo on such coal as was likely to defeat the miners.

Tfie resolution continues: “To us, as trade unionists, the sending of foreign coal to Britain is morally the same thing as if the Government import’d blacklegs to work the mines. We cannot be parties to the handling of this coal. We are now consulting the niilwaymen with a view to rendering the blockade even more effective.” HANDLING FOREIGN COAL. LONDON, May 0. It is expected that the (Railwayman's Federation Executive will meet on triday to decide what will lie their attitude in connection with the handling of foreign coal. RAILWAY STRIKE URGED. LONDON, May 10. The railwaymen in all parts of the north of England are urging their Executive to call a national radway stoppage for Sunday.