The Strike Position

Hokitika Guardian, 7 May 1926, Page 2

The Strike Position

CONDITIONS UNCHANGED

[Australian & N.Z. Cable Association.]

LONDON, May 5. Tlie General Council of the Trade Unions broke up at midnight. The situation is unchanged. The General Council will resume its deliberations in the morning.

COMMONS DISCUSSION. LONDON, May C

In the House of Commons. Mr .T. H. Thomas said that at eleven o'clock on Sunday night, he accepted a proposal for a settlement which the Prime Minister, AJr Baldwin, himself' had

written down. Mr Baldwin here intervened. He explained that this formula was not written by himself, hut was reached by a discussion lietwecn a permanent official acting for the Government and the Trades Congress which might be submitted to the miners.

Mr Baldwin added that the members of the Cabinet were trying to get an assurance from the Trade Union Council that a settlement could he arrived at on the lines of the Coal Commission’s report. He was not clear that the Trades Council had said they were satisfied about that. “While the Trades Council were seeing the miners.” he said, “wo learnt of an overt act to suppress newspapers.” They felt, he continued, that this completely changed the situation.

-Mr Ramsay MacDonald here intervened to say that the Trades Council were only in the. next room, but they were not asked if they were respnr sible for the net in question, or even if they knew about it. While they were busy working out a formula, Mr Baldwin’s letter was received, saving there was an end to the whole thing “When our consternation was over,” added Mr .MacDonald, “we decided to send a deputation to the Cabinet to explain the matter, but we found the door was locked, and lhe whole place was in darkness.”

Mr Baldwin: “As regards the alleged lack of courtesy in ending the negotiations. let mo remind Mr MacDonald that the negotiations were brokeoff because of the actual beginning of the general strike. Tt is n pity the work of the peacemakers was killed by the action of hot heads; hut no Government could yield to a general strike. The moment, that the strike is called off unconditionally, the Government is prepared to resume the negotiations.”

Finishing the Commons debate on the motion for its adjournment, Mr Baldwin qualified his earlier explanations regarding the negotiations on Sunday. He emphasised that a difficulty throughout- the week had been an impossibility of securing either from the miners or the Trade Union Congress, at full, free acceptance of the Coal' C-iinmission’s report, with all il.s implications. The terms of the formula he had given Mr Thomas were: “The Prime .Minister has satisfied himself as the result of conversations wit’ii the representatives of the Trades Council that, if the negotiations are continued il being understood that the owners’ notices shall eea.se to be operative- the representatives of the Council arc confident that a .settlement can lie reached on the lilies of the coal report within a fortnight.”

Owing, be said, to the umuoving attitude of the miners regarding the assurance that should be given, a new formula was given, reading as fol-lows:—-“Wo would urge the miners to' authorise us to enter into discussions with the understanding that we accept the report as the basis for a settlement, and that we approach it with the knowledge that it may involve some reduction in wages. - ’

Mr Baldwin concluded: “It has been said in I lie House of Commons that the organisers of the general strike did not intend it to he a strike against the Government. Until the general strike is out of the way. all progress is blocked completely.” Air Thomas followed. He recapitulated the negotiations. He incidentally said that, after Friday it had ceased to lie a miners’ dispute. The Trades Council were empowered to act with lull authority. Sir W. Steel Maitland and Mr Neville Chamberlain here intervened and contradicted Air Thomas. They pointed out that the Trades Council later said it was not empowered to take a decision oil behalf of the miners. Air Thomas concluded that he was not going to allow passion, temper, or “even the wonderful response of our people,” to allow the hanging of the door on peace. “I hope peace will speedily come,” lie said. The House of Commons adjourned. IX KOREAN ATTITUDE. BERLIN, Alay o. At a conference the General Federation ol Trades Unions, the miners’ the transporters, and the railwaymen, passed a resolution that they will support to their utmost the British unions. No bunkering will be allowed lor British vessels, while all measures are being taken to prevent any coal from Germany reaching. Britain. . COPENHAGEN. >Alav 5.

The Danish General Workers’ Union have stated that, if a request for their support is received Prom the British workers, it will lie difficult for them to refuse, in view of the help which British Labour accorded to the Danish strikers in the spring.

SHIPPING POSITION. NEW YORK, A fay 5. ihe first disturbance here in connection with the British strike occurred at noon to-day. when forty-six members of the engine-room crow of the White Star liner Arabic, attempted to rush from the ship to the pier three minutes before the steamy, scheduled departure for Europe. Three officers of flic ship frustrated the attempt and the vessel sailed on time. 1 lie appearance ol buses in Birmingitim was the signal for general dis-

turbances, The crowd held up the buses and demanded that the passengers alight. They were illtreated. The tyres of the vehicles were slashed. The buses thereupon were withdrawn. LONDON. Aiav 0.

The taxi cab men have decided to strike at midnight. This was expected. As a matter of tact, the taxis are not doing exceptional business, owing to the number of volunteer drivers on the roads, giving people- free rides. Alanv such are cars driven by women. The appearance of the Labour daily paper and a continental edition of the “Daily Alaill” on the streets at night time caused some excitement.

AIR. LLOYD GEORGE. LONDON, May 6. Speaking in the House of Commons, Mr Lloyd George deplored the Goverunent’s precipitancy in breaking off the legotiations. Tt was a most serious king to do. It was an error of the 'rarest order. He shared Air Henderon’s apprehension. He did not think, ,s a great many people did, that this ■ as something which would pass away asilv. He was convinced that the üblie were behind the Ministry in he maintenance of essential services, ut the Ministry must not underrate he forces on the other side. The -ade unions- had the best of disci-

pliiie and they were being most ably led. There was to-day a loyalty amongst the Labour Unions that was almost like the loyalty of the Army. It would be a mistake for the House to assume that the men on strike would dribble back to work, and throw over their leaders. It was that House, he said, which would settle the matter in the end. He believed that it was over early to 'do that at this moment, because the nation did not realise quite how things were going. What really mattered was the spirit and the manner in which the regulations under the Emergency Powers Act were carried out. He appealed to the Government to exercise restraint and tact, and not to make the attacks on the four millions of trade unionists, who feel that- the law was strained against them. He condemned the attack on the trade unionists that had !>een published in the “British Gazette.” It was most undesirable to engender bitterness,-- the dregs of which would l>o drunk, not by the unionists, but by millions of innocent per.ple. Sir AV. Joynson Hicks said that be accepted the responsibility for tl.e publication of tbe “British Gazette,” but declared that lie did not read the “Gazette.” Ho denied that he intended to use. the “Gazette” ns a. means of propaganda. Mr Lloyd George: “AA'hat we want is news—not dope!” Mr Lloyd George appealed to the Government to conduct the proceedings with good temper, restraint, and impartiality, which would reflect credit on the nation. Sir AV. Joynson Hicks: “I have no intention of stopping meetings. My aim is to administer the regulations of the Emergency Powers Act in the manner which Air Lloyd George hopes for.

In the House of Commons coal debate, Mr T. P. O'Connor asked: How could it be an advantage to anybody to continue this struggle? The country would, lie said, bold any man who defeated the lasL attempts to prevent a disastrous war heavily, if not criminally, responsible. He concluded: “Is there a question of dignity? Good God, what’s any man’s dignity compared with this great disaster?” LONDON. May 5. In the House of Commons, Sir Alfred Aloud appealed for a renewed conference. There was no reason why the Government should not-prolong the coal subsidy for a lew weeks if they saw peace ahead. Air Hartshorn (Labour) declared that until to-day, there had not been any really genuine; attempt to bring about a .settlement. If this were going to he a trial of strength, it would be a mistake to imagine it would end speedily. STOPPING TRAFFIC. LONDON, A lay 5. Latest advices point to a growing determination to fight, on. The House of Commons debate sounds a note of gloom, while a hint of there being worse tilings to come was sounded by lit. lion. A. Henderson. Aleamvliile the early quiet appears to be giving way to local lints. The hittest of these occurred at fiainmersmilh, where six independent buses were disabled. One conductor was forcibly pulled off. but was rescued by police. Eight arrests have been made in the East End in connection with riots, in which police wero injured, one seriously. At Stoke-e.u-Kent an attempt was made to run a motor bus, hut thousands of people prevented it. Stones were thrown, breaking the windows. Tlieie have been serious disturbances in Leeds, where thousands of people broke the windows of the trams with lumps of coal. They attacked a small force of police, who were compelled to retire. Later, the police were reinforced. They then charged the crowd with batons. LABOUR’S ATTITUDE. LONDON. Alav (i. The T.U.C. summed up its attitude late last night as follows: “Our last word to the Government was that ‘The Door is still open.’ ” An official Labour reviews, issued from headquarters, declares: “Solidarity and unanimity have been- maintained. AVe are satisfied. Our machinery is working smoothly and well. Our Council has received resolutions of support from the Confederations ot Labour in France. Holland, America, and Canada, all offering to do anything possible to help. AA’e also have messages of congratulations from Germany and offers of practical help from the German mining districts.

Tbe statement concluded: “Strict orders ha vc been issued to the men to be exemplary in their conduct and not to give grounds for police interference.” “TIMES” OFFICE FIRED. LONDON, May 5. There was an attempt to hurn down the “Times” office. It was frustrated. Petrol was poured from a lane, and it set some paper ablaze in the machine room. The office firemen fought the fire until the Eire Brigade extinguished it.

IN OTHER PLACES. LONDON, May 0. It is reported from Liverpool that the sailors and firemen have called a strike.

The omnibuses in Renfrewshire district had to he withdrawn, after a number had been forced to s|>ee<l up to escape pursuing assailants. At Dundee the Manager of the Tramways tried to run a car. The strikers blocked the line. The car was abandoned.

At the strikers seized the carburetters and poured out the petrol of the omnibuses which were being worked by volunteers. One hundred tramcars and omnibuses are operating in Edinburgh, operated mostly by .students. Eilty-six per cent of the tramway employees at Portsmouth resumed when they were threatened with dismissal. Extra police- have been drafted in Newcastle. They soon quelled attacks on the motor buses there. Destroyers have arrived at Newcastle and Aliddlesborough. The battleship Hood, and the cruisers M arspite and Comus have arrived at the Clyde. The Northern Ireland Parliament has passed a Government Bill empowering the Governor, if an emergency arises, to proclaim emergency, and to regulate the supply and distribution of necessi-.

LONDON, Alay 0. Reports from the mining area of South Wales depict life as normal there. r lhe miners are working in their gardens, or playing games. Tire Labour daily gives prominence to the General Council’s message that Labour’s response has exceeded all expectations. The rest of the paper consists of icports from tlie provinces. In the Commons, Sir 1.. Worthington Evans denied rumours that the death penalty in the army wouldeither be extended or applied to any case in connection with the strike. LONDON ELECTRICITY. LONDON, May 0. The trouble is extending to several power stations. The electrical power stations struck to-day.

At present, however, there is no danger of the light and power being cut off in the London district, because

engineers who aro members of other unions are still working. Should they strike, it is understood the Government have an adequate supply of volunteer labour.

The AValtliamston Power House employees have struck. Contrariwise in South Wales the electrical employees decided to maintain current.

LONDON, May o. The absence of dock workers in interfering with the despatch of cargo steamers to Australia and New Zealand, but mail steamers will leave punctually. The Roald no goes tomorrow.

The apple importers are perturbed at the fact that forty-eight thousand cases of apples discharged before the strike are still in the sheds. At present they are undamaged, but are likely to suffer if the weather is warm. PARIS, May 6.

Owing to the demand for air passages to London, the fare has been . .jj doubled. The hotels here and at Boulogne are thronged with people wishing to return to England, who are offering fantastic prices, even for tugs and small boats, but the supply is not sufficient.

STREET TROUBLE. LONDON, Afay 5. There was an extension of a riot in Hammersmith, when the crowd gathered outside the headquarters of the ‘Loyal Faseisti” and hurled missiles at the police. Several arrests wero made. General omnibuses are now passing through the suburb with policemen alongside the drivers, while the mounted moil, are heavily reinforced. Ruses, manned by inspectors, appeared at. Cardiff after the Corporation notified the tram men to return to work or to return their uniforms. There was no opposition. PEACE AIOVES. LODNON, May 7. Following on the Baldwin-Thomas conversation, Ah- Ramsay MacDonald saw Mr Cook and Air Herbert Smith, the miners’ leaders, and discussed tho situation. The two days of the general strike has produced a feeling in the lobby of the utter unreasonableness of the attitude into which all the parties liavo drifted. Many Conservatives are impressed by tho tone of the speeches from tho Labour benches, while the Labourites clearly recognise there is a risk of the Labour Party being identified with a general strike policy, as being a detriment to its future. There is a strong hope that to-mor-row may produce a formula that will permit the strike to bo ended, beforo it gets beyond tho control of tho authors. GOVERNAfENT SHEET. LONDON, May 5. The “ British Gazette ” in its second issue, claims that the nation is calm and confident. Tt advises that Londoners will not have to walk to work, as there will he a full service at tho London station of the Central London Railway on Thursday. It says there is a plentiful supply of London general and independent omnibuses. An official notice to the printing trade says: “AVlien the strike has ended, the Government will take effectual measures to prevent victimisation by the trade unions of the men who remain at work. No settlement will be agreed to which does not provide for this for a lasting period, and its enforcement by penalties. No man wlio does his duty to the country wilL be left unprotected from reprisals.”

Tho "Gazette” devotes half a rolumn to the Australia ns-Leiecstcr match. Its other news is meagre. In the House of Commons, Sir ward llifl’o (Conservative), on behalf of tho directors of a group of newspapers with a circulation exceeding ten million copies daily, offered to' print in each edition two columns of matter to be supplied by the Labour Party without any alteration being made in the matter.

LONDON, May 6.

After Scotland Yard was communicated with by the Government regarding the “ Daily Herald ” raid, tho Labourites represented that as the Government was issuing the “British Gazette,” it was only reasonable that the other side should have its organ. The Government assented, but subject to a censorship. Consequently, tho Labour daily has been published. It is being eagerly bought, at any price that tiie news vendors could obtain. 'Hie London “Daily Alail ” issued four papers of the usual size. Tho news was telephoned and then telegraphed to Paris, where it was printed. Thence it was aeroplaned to London. The street sellers are asking for a minimum of threepence per copy. LONDON, May 5. A new feature in London is tlie appearance of a flood of little job-printed .handbill newspapers, which~are selling 1 ilye hot cakes at threepence each. Their news is mostly a stale repetition of the broadcast bulletins.

The postal authorities announce that tho telephones and telegraphs are so congested that the calls on the wires must be reduced to a minimum.

The Lawn Tennis Association advise that all tournaments should be discontinued during the national emergency. An extraordinary pall of darkness like mid-night, spread over London at noon, intensifying the traffic congestion. Fortunately, it soon lifted.

(Received this day at 8 a.m.) LONDON, Alay C.

In the Commons, just before it adjourned, Mr Lloyd George asked that in view of the vital points disclosed in the debate would lie be able to refer to the matter to-morrow. Air Speaker replied in the affirmative.

BALDWIN AND THOMAS CONFER LONDON, Alay G.

It is understood Mr Baldwin and Atr Thomas are conferring with a view to reaching a basis of negotiations for a settlement of the strike. There is great activity among Labour loaders and dramatic developments are expected.

YORKSHIRE NORMAL. LONDON, May G. Vest Riding of Yorkshire textiles position so far is normal. There is *• sufficient coal stocks to work the mills ( on a restricted basis for several weeks, „ "’bile many Bradford firms can run full time for a fortnight, before there need be any restriction.

SOVIET SUPPORT. RIGA, Alay C. Soviet Labour Organisations are organising financial support for British strikers.