THE LATE STRIKE

Hokitika Guardian, 19 May 1926, Page 3

THE LATE STRIKE

[Australian & N.Z. Cable Association. l

INSIDE OE STRIKE

(Iteceived this day at 11.0 a.m.) LONDON, May IS. On the resumption of the morning newspapers the public is learning for the first titno the important items in the secret history of the strike. Though the Council went to the Trade Union Congress Conference on May Ist with a general strike motion, the “Daily Express ” declared they were not convinced it would be accepted. Thomas and Bromley were both opposed, thereto. Pugh, -Misses Bondfield and Quaile doubted its expediency. The council as a whole accepted tilie trade commission’s dictum tjiat there must be sonic temporary reduction in the miners’ <*niges. They, were impatient with the Miners’ 'Federation's unyielding attitude. Thus a general strike was launched with the leaders at sixes and sevens, lacking enthusiasm therefore, with failure which was predicted

though there was quick and complete dislocation. „ liy the daily improvement of, the emergency services, the Council realised the position was moving against the Trade Unions. The Trade Unions Council came to a point of calling out all gas, electric power and post office workers, including telephones and telegraphists, hut realised tihat the strike would then indeed become revo. jtionary and would get out of their control. They learned that the Government contemplated calling out n.n army of reserves and had notices ready to post. The Council realised this would immediately reduce the strikers by thousands. The T.U.C. further believed they might be arrested and their office disbanded. On top of everything came Justice Astbury’s High Court judgment that a general strike was illegal, therefore they decided it was not worth while to continue. They - held that. Sir H. Samuel’s memorandum should he accepted as a basis for a mining settlement.

■» COST OF “BRITISH GAZETTE.” LONDON, May 18.

11l the House of Commons, Hon AV. Churchill stated that the cost of printing the “ British Gazette ” for nine days will probably be twenty thousand sterling, the receipts being nearly of a similar amount, because all copies were paid for. Had the strike lasted another three days they might actually have expected a profit, hut it was perhaps better that the strike should have ended. GOVERNMENT AND MINERS’ LEADERS. LONDON, -May 18.

It is stated that Premier Baldwin, accompanied by Sir Steel Maitland, Lord Birkenhead, Messrs Neville Chamberlain, and Lane Fox received representatives' of the Miners’ Federation in the House of Commons at five in the evening. A general discussion occurred in explanation of the proposals of the Government. The meeting lasted two hours. Mr Cook, on leaving, said there was nothing to say. The Miners’ Executive meets again in the morning.