ON STRIKE.

Hokitika Guardian, 6 May 1926, Page 3

ON STRIKE.

crowded with traffic, chiefly an endless procession of private cars and food lorries, yet the conditions are very different. A twelve mile run yesterday* took two hours, to-day ono hour. A number of omnibuses are working the principal routes, manned by volunteers. Even their stairways are packed. 3here are distinct* evidences of regular, although attenuated train services. Both the long distance and suburban tubes are partially working and there are queues outside the stations which yesterday were closed. People going to the city by

Jong routes from the suburbs ;ire very good humoured, despite dismal weather of drizzle and mist, A novel foatuie is tlio posting in windows of broadcast news. The bulletins are surrounded by eager crowds. An inexplicable relapse occurred in francs. Belgian opened at 15.1 and are non IGO, French which opened at 151 are now 151},

SOVIET VI Fr MOSCOW, May 5. “Great events in England,” is the heading of Zinovioffbs article in the Soviet press in which lie declares the principal clangor to British labour comes from the right wing leaders, who have joined the movement for the purpose of betraying it. Mr Baldwin's aeroplanes and organisation for maintenance of supplies are not half so dangerous as MacDonald, Thomas and company.

questions IN commons. fßeceived this flay at 12.30 p.m.l CONDON, May 5. The discomfort was completed by the settling down of a dense fog and incessant drizzle. Interest in events of Parliament were evidenced by the early arrival in the Commons of the Prince of Wales and Duke of York, who sat together in the Royal Gallery and followed tho questions with closest attention.

Mr-McNeil answering Mr Kenworthy -said the Government had not considered the closing of tho Stock Exchange during the crisis. Mr Kenworthy: “Does the Government accept the. responsibility for the statements contained in the British Gazette.”

Mr Joynson flicks: “Yes, and the cost is home by the Treasury.” Mr Thnrtle: “There is an article attacking Trade Unions. Is it the Government’s intention to carry on propaganda of this sort” Sir Joynson Hicks: “I must have notice of that question.” Mr Kirkwood: “Js not this a first indication that Government is embracing Socialism by. running the press of the country?” Mr Speaker: “That is a question on which members may have their own opinion.’’ Sir Joynson Hicks moved that approval be given to the Emergency Powers Act regulations which are not operative, if not approved within seven days. He asked that they be approved for a month, after which the whole country hoped an extension Would not he necessary. They did not prevent men from striking, hut enabled tho Government to take possession of land, buildings and undertakings for the benefit of the whole nation. LONDON, May 5. In the House of Commons, Sir W. Joynson Hicks said the 21st. regulation related to sedition. In the main lines regarding incitement to mutiny and disaffection, was an adaptation of the existing common law- with the difference that it could be dealt with sumanly. Regulation 33, gave great power to deal with newspapers, and the police could enter am- building suspected of printing or publishing any documents calculated to cause mutiny, sedition or disaffection among the forces or civilians. Furthermore it authorised measures to secure the supply and distributing of foodstuffs and necessaries. These powers were vital at the moment to tho nation's life. Ho had already issued orders for the maintenance of electric supply, transport of motor spirit and continuance of the railway- services. The railway position was improving, likewise the buses. Most of London’s power stations were working admirably. Only 33 per cent! of the naval ratings and 12 per cent, of the naval Jiad hitherto been used therein. Five power stations were not working so well. The power supply of London Hospital was cut off to-day, but tlio Ministry would take steps to correct such things. The food supply was going on well and Government would do its utmost to protect those carrying out legal avocations. I appeal to all able-bodied men to protect the community in tin's tiino of difficulty and danger.

Mr Thurtle: "Will you deal with Article 22 taking away the right of public meetings? Sir Joynson Hicks: That regulation prohibited meetings likely to cause grave disaster. The police last night learned that Deptford communists with national unemployed workers committee and an international class war organisation were holding a meeting with a view to organising an immense procession to march to the heart of London. He thought this was likely to cause a breach of the peace so he directed the police to prevent tho procession. The country at the moment is steady.

Sir Joynson Hick's quoted Mr MacDonald's 1912 hook on socialism, wherein he said he was against a general strike, which was not the weapon of reform, hut hit the poor heavily, the middle-class less, and tho rich least of all, and that society woul dorganise against it.

LABOUR LEADER’S REQUEST. LONDON, May 5. Sir Joynson Hicks continued: "That is what I wish to emphasise. Time is on the side of law and order and if we stand fast we will see a way out of the difficulties.” Mr Henderson asked as the Home Secretary aware that Mr Baldwin on Saturday evening received a definite offer from those responsible, who were able to give every assistance to which Sir Joynson Hicks referred. Ope

[Australia & N.Z. Cable Association.] SOME PARERS PRINTING. LONDON, May 5. Good tramway services are operating in Glasgow, Liverpool and Bournemouth, and the publication of newspapers has been resumed in a number of country towns, including Newcastle, Cardiff and Glasgow, Photographic plates of typescript are being utilised in many cases. The London financial newspapers are being published with stock and share movements, Broadcasting was extensively used last night for tho distribution of Government information and other news relating to the public arrangements. A service was operated every half hour from 9.30 p.m. till midnight. PARIS, May 5 All the newspapers comment on the remarkable coolness; of the British public in the present crisis. . TRAIN AND BUS TRAFFIC RESUMING, ] LONDON, May 5. Although this is the second day of the strike, all the roads to the citv aro

I -would have thought the Govcrnmci would have said as tho responsib! union leaders had never ceased to sax that they were prepared to negotiat to find a formula by which tlio who! business could be terminated. It wn no use in being told they were in ; state or -war. Tlio Government wa; not even prepared to talk to try t< find a settlement. If that were goitif to continue to be the Government’. 1 attitude then the position of this country in he next few days was going to he such as to baffle- the imagination of everybody, lie was as alarmed at the position as ally Conservative. He believed that trade union experience dictated that even now the House should lend its energies to sec whether lliOy could not got. back to whore they Were at one o’clock on Monday morning. Tie believed negotiations would have then gone on if the news had not conic that a certain newspaper had been interfered with, it should he the business of all sections of the House to'return to that position to see if the trouble could not bet settled by reason and not bv force.

BALDWIN AND THOMAS CONFER, LONDON, May 5. j. In view id the conciliation speeches in the Commons to-night Mr Baldwin and Mr Thomas renewed informal conversations to see whether an understanding were possible without delay. A remarkable sign all over London is that every wireless shop is fitted up at 1 the doorway with a. loudsjieaker. ! ( I'owds throng around listening to the I broadcasting because few are lucky ’ enough to get copies of the “ British Gazette” or n .single-sheet typescript issued in other quarters. ( rieket.. which was on everybodies lips three days ago, is coinpletelv dropped from thought. The Australians had heard of the fact that rain-sodden turf at Leyton prevented play. This was generally disregarded and only

added to the gloom oi those who with difficulty made their way to Leyton. I lie latest blow is the closing of eight theatres. I here are prospects that tomorrow will bring a great improvement in transport. Underground has eniolled three thousand volunteers "hich i.s all who could be adequately t rained. Tho companies promise a more or less regular service. Though London generally is quiet and there is a marked absence of demonstrators, tbore is some uneasiness in the East Tvml. Ibree instances of incendiarism are recorded two motor lorries and one car wore burnt at East India Dock road.

" DAILY HERALD ” SEIZED, (Received this day at 1.5 p.mA LONDON. May 5. Police raided the "Daily Herald” office and occupied the building, as it was publishing the Trade I'nion Congress paper entitled, the “British Worker,” which is counter to the “British Gazette,” and seized it. Later the Government released the paper for publication under a censorship. CRICKET DIFFICULTIES. Ihe cricketers are not escaping the effects of the general strike. The weather i.s aborting the gate receipts while flic expense is trebled. It was thought the troubles would have been minimised following an offer of a motor firm to place six cars at their disposal for the remainder of the tour, hut a difficulty in obtaining drivers resulted in the oiler being withdrawn. The team bad to return by motors from Leicester last night at a cost of CIO against £ls by rail. Taxis have now been commissioned. Tlio publication of the British Gazette caused a mild disturbance in the Strand early this morning, outside the “Morning Post” office, culminating in the arrest of a striking printer, .Janies Mills. The police alleged that he tried to tip a motor driver out and then went to tlio back wheel and tried to rip a tyre with a knife but was frustrated. Mills was fined forty shillings or three weeks.

Instances of interference arc reported including the stoppage of non-union buses at Nottingham and Rotherham, but tho chief constable at the latter place intervened and effected a restoration.

Newcastle unionists district committee ignored the Trade Union Congress headquarters orders to handle food. As a result there is likely to bo a shortage of food at tlie week-end. Nottingham is also likely to he short of meat. Military liason officers are providing police escorts for convoys of food waggons at all London docks, in order to frustrate interference. Hyde Parle milk distribution scheme is in full operation. A large fleet of lorries are arriving daily from the milk districts. Over a thousand vehicles are assembled at the Park, while infinitelv more are on call in case of

emergency. EFFECT ON TRADE. (Received this day at 11.0 a.m.) ‘PARIS. May 5. The fall of the franc is more attributed to sales by British banks to bolster up sterling and also the fact that the strike is bound to seriously affect French exporters, and ultimately Continental trade generally. A number of British cargo vessels at Boulogne laden witlrfruit and new potatoes from Spain are held up. The export of cherries, strawberries and other early fruit from Provence lias ceased and growers are likely to be involved in heavy losses. Two thousand workmen in a motor ear factory at Saint Quen, struck in sympathy with the strikers in Britain. FRENCH PRESS VIEWS.

The “ Petit Parisian ” says the man in the street in England has got his face resolutely against a revolution. The " Oaulois ” says all civilised people should stand together at such a time.

The “Echo de Paris” does not doubt that constitutional government will ultimately triumph. The “ Deuvre ” emphasises the opinion that the strike is due to the readoption of the gold standard.

RUSSIAN HELP. RIGA. May

Trades Unions throughout Russia are subscribing to support the British strikers and Grave already collected several thousands sterling.