THE LATE STRIKE

Hokitika Guardian, 18 May 1926, Page 3

THE LATE STRIKE

IN THE COMMONS. [Australian &. N.Z. Cable Association A (Received this day at 12.30 p.m.) LONDON, May 17. In tho House of Commons, answering (piestinns with regard to the cost of the strike, Ah' Churchill said tlmt at present he saw no reason arising from the strike to propose additional taxation. He did not anticipate ni y appreciable disturbance in the current fuiancifil year as tho result of the strike, the effect of which could not /accurately be estimated. The Government's direct expenditure will possibly not be large and in some eases there would be countervailing receipts and saving on ordinary expenditure. Air Churchill did not anticipate expenditure on food transport would exceed ’’three-quarters of a million and might be less. The effect on direct taxatin would mainly appear in next year’s estimates and any loss of profits might he made up by increased trade activity in the interval, 'assuming that the coal stoppage was not greatly prolonged and that there was ail early return of normality. He saw no reason to ; impose additional taxation. THE DHEAPFUL DEBACLE.

LONDON, A lay 17. A Commoner, Air Valley, Ruder of the Notts miners speaking in his constituency (.Mansfield) criticised the Trade Union Council for the dread)til * debacle of a general strike. He bad never dreamed tho calling off of the strike would hive assumed the spectacle of ail object surrender. Ho had never been regarded as a red, and lie hoped the miners now would tell him to icturn to London and make the best terms possible for them.

THAT RUSSIAN MONEY

LONDON, May IV* Referring to tbo report that

Alitiers Federation had received a cablegram from Russian miners congress offering a first instalment of 2(0 thousand sterling, collected by Russian trade unions to assist the wives and families of British miners, Air Cook said he had appealed for funds to relieve distress from anywhere and anybody, and certainly lie would be pleased to accept money from Russian mine workers. N.Z. LABOUR HELP. WELLINGTON, Alay 18. The Secretary of the National Labour Committee for support of British workers oil Friday sent £I,OOO to Citrine, Secretary of the Trade Union Congress and asked if further assistance were necessary. To-day he received a reply: “Thanks for financial assistance, further support urgent. Terms of agreement are of general strike and resumption of negotiations on pence. ( onl Comission report with incidental improvements. ALajority of employers now refusing reinstatement, insisting upon holding present conditions. Wo hope to make satisfactory arrangements but some in dangerous position. Miners negotiations proceeding.” The Committee immediately issued another appeal for assistance. Tho workers of New Zealand are therefore asked to forward all financial assistance possible.

BUSINESS AS USUAL. i t LONDON, Alay 17. 1 Britain has redonned dungarees, and wheels are going round almost at full 1 pressure. The strikers are taken back as circumstances permit. Fifty per cent of the railwaymen are working. London dockers resumed to the inspiring strains of drums aiid fifes, which played off Guardsmen on street duty. Tyneside lias settled down to work with north country canniness. Four thousand men are idle in Alanchester owing to a hitch regarding employment of non-unionists. Conditions elsewhere are normal. London evening papers reappeared in complete editions. Afr Crump speaking at Plymouth, said the strike cost the national uniutt of railway men one million and railway eonianies five and a half millions. A general strike would never occur again because it was impossible to carry it out effectively. If carried to a logical conclusion trade unions would be starved and paralysed as well as everybody else. Railway unions saved their lives by accepting the companies terms.