BRITISH LABOUR CRISIS.

Hokitika Guardian, 16 May 1921, Page 2

BRITISH LABOUR CRISIS.

BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSN., COPYRIGHT.

LLOYD GEORGE’S STATEMENT. LONDON, May 14. In the House of Commons speaking on a motion for the adjournment, Mr J. B. Clynes, Labour M.P., pressed the Government bring both sides together again. If a reasonable offer be made to the miners, he believed that the men would accept it; but he pointed out that sacrifices must be made by both sides. Mr V. Hartshorn (Labour) stated the Government should insist on both parties hammering out a solution of the problem. Mr Page Croft (Unionist) asserted that this was an inspired industrial upheaval. Those it were hand in glove,with Moscow. He declared Messrs Williams, Cramp and Hodges were declared revolutionaries. He said no further evidence was required to enable the Government to proceed against them for high treason. Mr Lloyd George said the Government was watching developments in regard to the revolutionary movement. He declared that special legislation would be considered necessary, he would not hesitate to ask the House'to pass. He could not say to what extent these revolutionary movements had been subsidised with foreign money. Before the coal parties got_ together again, the “never never” mood must evaporate. The Government wanted an assurance that the parties would he in a better mood to negotiate. He did not want to see the miners starved into submission, “but,” he went on, “we must find a fair means of dealing with the dispute which will not be destructive to any other industry.”

BITTER CLASS STRUGGLE. LONDON, May 13 The “Daily Mail” lobbyist writes:— Mr Lloyd George is personally summoning the coal owners and miners to a conference 'on Wednesday or Thursday, to try and end the deadlock. Neither the Government nor the Par-, liamentary Labour Party anticipate serious trouble from the railwaymen, despite the threatened Scottish strike. “Nevertheless, much bitterness and class strife exists. The struggle has now reached a stage calling for the calmest statesmanlike handling.”

ANTWERP DOCKERS. ANTWERP, May 13 The dockers of Antwerp have struck against the handling of coal for England.