STRIKE AFTERMATH.

Hokitika Guardian, 19 May 1926, Page 2

STRIKE AFTERMATH.

THE RESUMPTION. LONDON’S RETURN TO NORMAL. [Australia & N.Z. Cable Association.] LONDON, May 17, England got down to work everywhere to-day in a new spirit of peace and hopefulness. There wore no recriminations. Everybody, both employers and employees, were anxious to make up for lost time. A glance ;lt London’s streets, crammed with buses and crowds, made it difficult to realise that the country had passed through the greatest industrial crisis known. Newspaper posters flood tho streets with, such phrases as “ Here Me Arc Again!’ and “Back to Full Size!” Though there was a tendency during tlit? week-end for the railwaymen to resent the terms of settlement, there was practically a wholesale return today. The differences at Bristol and Hull, where the situation was worst after tho general settlement, have now been overcome. The resumption of tramway services has everywhere been satisfactory. Slight difficulties have been experienced in certain provincial bus undertakings, but those are under negotiation. Road transport workers throughout tho country have returned to work. Their union is issuing an appeal to nil those who have returned to work to make a contribution of sixpence weekly iii addition to the ordinary contributions, to assist those who are compelled to wait until they can be employed.

Fleet Street has resumed its prestrike appearance. All the London dailies are publishing full-sized papers, including the “ Morning Post ” which is twenty pages in size, though the price has been reduced to a penny. Tho only trouble, in fact, is that certain distributors have not yet arranged whether to employ non-unionists alongside unionists. So they are still loading their carts with volunteer labour, which is slow compared with that of ti e skilled hands who continue on strike. Meanwhile all the papers are printing full quantities, even if the deliveries in some districts are delayed. All the dailies publish glowing eulogies of their volunteer staffs during the strike.

Tho “Daily Express” states it published 1,035,150 copies yesterday by means of volunteers.

Some proposals have been put forward that Die Whitsuntide Holidays he postponed for a fortnight in order that tbe textile trades may benefit by the public demand for spring clothing. The “ Morning Post’s” financial writer says: “In order to comprehend tbe qity’s equanimity during the strike and its present optimism, it must be realised that London and other parties had long apprehended some great organised action by labour. This had resulted in a restriction of speculative committments, as neither the speculators nor investors attempted to throw stocks on the market, it became sensitive to the smallest buying- orders. M’licii the strike broke down, it was felt that business was likely to he freer than for a long time. It is hoped the effect of recent experiences will draw capital and labour nearer, instead of widening the .gulf, and that strenuous endeavours to recover losses will really serve to prepare the way for a real revival of trade.

POPLAR UNDER STRIKE CONTROL LONDON, May 17.

The “Daily Telegraph” reveals an amazing state of Poplar, which is the centre of the big industrial district in the East End of London, during the strike when the conditions were at their worst. The control of affairs in Poplar was in the hands of a body which styled itself the Strike Committee. For a time the members of this miniature Soviet exerted supreme authority, and while the period of disorder lasted, no one dared to defy their commands. Many workers not in any way associated with. Dio strike had their power cut off', thereby bringing operations to a standstill. The men in charge of bodies of employees were called before the Committee and told what they were permitted to do. The roads throughout the district were rendered most dangerous. Private ears, as well as lorries were held up on the East India Dock road in an amazing manner. Tho drivers were ordered to stop ,and if one disobeyed, his car was rushed, the brakes were applied, and t-lie passengers were pulled out of the vehicle. Cyclists were also dragged off their machines. The direction of the disorder was undertaken by_ large bands of hooligans, who damaged tbe engines of cars, removed tbe magnetos and poured petrol into several, which were then set afire. Twenty-two were wrecked in one night alone. For a period the police were helpless. Every time they appeared, they were brutally attacked with bottles and other missiles. Later they were heavily reinforced, and they made repeated charges on hooligans and on the crowds. It is impossible to say how many they injured. Had the streets not been, cleared on this occasion, anything might have happened. Tradesmen went in fear for the safety of their premises. It was impossible to obtain an exact account of the'conditions that prevailed during this short, but unforgettable reign of terror.

STR,IKE’S EFFECT.' LONDON, May 17. The “Daily Herald,” in an editorial, says: “Many imagine that the acceptance ol Mr Baldwin’s proposals only depends upon the coal miners. Our information, however, is that the coal owners are most strongly opposed to the Premier’s proposals. A well-in-formed correspondent says that the general view of the owners is that they will not tolerate anv Govern-

' nicnt interference or legislation ; They want a free hand and they have suggested that, now the strike is over, the Government should let the owners give the miners a good hiding. If Mr Baldwin had been firmer with the owners in reference to the reorganisation of the industry, lie could have prevented the breakdown of the negotiations on April 30th. Having, however, been compelled by the strike, to change bis attitude, Mr Baldwin is now undertaking what lie refused to do before the wonderful mobilisation of trade union support of tjie miners began.” Attention is now focussed on the coal situation. 'I he miners’ officials met members of the Cabinet to obtain an explanation of certain points in the Government’s proposals. These were required in order to aid the conference when it is resumed on Thursday. Considerable significance'is attached to this meeting, as showing that the miners are displaying a desire to discuss the Government terms. Mr Baldwin is not expected to take a hand in the situation for the time being. Both tlie mine owners and the miners spent the week-end in probing Mr Baldwin’s new proposals. Mr Cook (Miners’ Secretary) tonight, in a statement, said: “We have obtained now from the Mines Department an explanation of the terms, and liow they would work. Our executive is ready to meet Mr Baldwin to-morrow.”

Asked whether the outlook was any brighter, Mr Cook replied: “If these proposals are generously interpreted, there must he some hope of a settlement,”

PENALTY OF STRIKING. |_“ The Times ” Service.] llleoeived this day at 8.30 a.m.) LONDON, May 18. The “ Times ” points out that the ex-strikers who are now unemployed are not qualified to draw the dole for six weeks, Ivecause they left their work without a just cause. LONDON, May 18, A general strike was bound to come because the leaders were suffering from illusions, and were boufld to fail; because it reacted against the strikers, said the ex-Commoner, Mr Barnes, when interviewed by the “ Standard.” It would have ended two or three days earlier if the Trade Union Council had found a plausible plea for its cancellation. The Trade Unions lost millions, in strike pay, but a far greater measure of power and respect which was the anticlimax to the promised land of power which had lured their leaders to their undoing. Catch phrases, such as “one big union,” “united front,” and other foolish formulae crumpled up within a week, leaving tho unions discredited. The unions must put their trust in wise counsellors, instead of foolish phrasemongers. APPLE SLUMP LIKELY. LONDON, May 17. A few apples are dribbling in from tin? docks. About two thousand cases of Australian apples sold at Tate rates. The market is at present firm, hut it is unlikely that prices will be maintained when the offerings are increased. Arrangements are being, made to divert some of the apple ships to Hamburg, Liverpool, and Southampton, as there are now over a dozen waiting to discharge at London. RIVAL COAL VIEWS. LONDON, May 18, The ‘-‘Morning Post’s” Labour correspondent states: There are. no signs of a quick settlement of the coal dispute. The miners feel they.have been lot down by the Trades Union Congress. Neither the miners nor the coal ownel’s like Air Baldwin’s plan, the miners saying that it means compulsory arbitration in .the districts, which cuts right across their declarations of no district settlements and no reduction of wages. The coal owners’ criticism is that the scheme does not promise to bring Die industry quickly hack to an economic basis. They appreciate Mr Baldwin’s desire for gooiTwill, and want to meet it, hut say all the goodwill in the world "ill not enable them to sell coal in competition at higher prices than' competitors sell at, or enable wages to be paid out of unsold coal. Neither the miners nor the the owners like to leave everything in the unfettered direction of an indpendent chairman. MR BALDWIN PRAISED. \ LONDON, May 17. The London Chamber of Commerce has paid a splendid tribute to Mr Baldwin in a letter in which it expresses, on behalf of sixty thousand business firms and companies, keen appreciation and admiration of the manner hi which the Government functioned in .maintaining the vital services of the country and safeguarding the food supplies of people. The letter adds that his appeal for goodwill, will not fail to meet a ready response.