STRIKE AFTERMATH.

Hokitika Guardian, 20 May 1926, Page 2

STRIKE AFTERMATH.

MARCH OF GUARDSMEN. A STIRRING LONDON SCENE. [Australia & N.Z. Cable Association.] LONDON, May 18. What might be regarded as the closing scenes in the strike was the march of four thousand guardsmen through the city from London Docks wkero they had guarded food in lull field equipment. Mounted police had to clear the streets of eager thousands anxious to cheer the Lord Mayor, who was standing on the steps of the Mansion House in his full robes. Hu? scene closely resembled the ending of the war. - Tile guardsmen made an impressive sight in their steel helmets and fixed bayonets. Traffic was virtually at a standstill while the procession, a mile long, wended its way to Waterloo where the troops entrained for Aidershot.

Practically all England heard the music by means of a simultaneous broadcast from London. There arc still other minor instances where a few hundred are out in various factories. Woolwich ferry is still idle owing to alleged victimisation by two acting captains. London County Council which was unable to run any trams during the trouble report the strike cost the council fifty thousand sterling. FAILURE OF STRIKE WEAPON A LABOR MAN’S VIEWS. LONDON, May 18. A strong attack on a general strike as a weapon was made by Arc Hodges in nu interview. He says it disclosed its own incompetence. It was of no use for the miners’ leaders to blame the Trades Union Congress for the present satuation. It would be terribly unfair and ungenerous to do so. The Trades Union Council could respond easily with comments on the miners’ leaders, which would he far from complimentary. From this disaster, for such will be the description of the strike for many long years to come, arises the notable disposition in recent years to fly away from the economic fads. True leadership does not consist of preparing paper schemes which are torn to fragments when the test of practise is applied to them. The Trades’ Union Council leadership, in order to be worthy of the workers should be based on knowledge of the facts of the industry, and sincere love of their fellow men. The Trades Union Council failed liceau.se gigantic though it was, it was a mere toy in the presence of the facts of social forces and simple humanity, with which it was confronted. It was a grey fortnight, in which 'Prados Union efforts of a half century crumbled before their very eyes. For loyalty to the miners and those who stood behind the min- ' ers there was nothing Imt unstinted praise, but for the future it will be felt that. the political ballot box will he a more fruitful channel of expression for the magnificent devotion and enthusiasm shown to-day.

Allt HODGES’ CRITICISM. LONDON, A! ay 18.

Mr Frank Hodges, continuing, said: Better terms could have been secured then than now, but for the blind passion to try out the machine which, though perfect on paper, took no account of simple human nature and the hard facts of industry. The miners are now alone save for the great number of workers wlmt have not been reinstated. The miners are determined, dogged fighters, but a struggle against the facts of industry i.s a fruitless tragic sacrifice.” Jlo continued“ Neither the Samuel memorandum nor the Government proposals represents my idea of a settlement, but what was iu.our grasp at the end of April is not possible now. Nevertheless prudent leadership should dietato that Hie men should not be permitted to go further and fare worse. The avoidance of a crash i.s more vital that the preservation of fleeting reputations. Every day of the stoppage makes the facts of the industry grimmer. All should concentrate on making tlie period of inevitable sacrifice ns short as possible, and should get the Government, the owners and the miners to fling themselves into the task of a reconstruction based on a newer and finer technique combined with devoted work by all engaged in the productive, distributive and commercial sides of (lie industry. A permanent agreement, based on those principles would witness the trade unions functioning at their best. The unions’ task hereafter will be that of co-operation in the creation of the prosperity of each industry. and of providing for securing the maximum advantages from industry, consistent with its expansion as a ‘- •sic element in the national well-be-ing.’.' COAL PROBLEM. MINERS MEET MINISTERS. LONDON, .May 18. It is stated that Mr Baldwin, accompanied by Sir A. Steel Maitland, Lord Birkenhead, Air Neville Chamberlain, and Air Lane Fox, received representatives of the .Miners’ Federation in the 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 minors’ executive meets again to-morrow morning.

WAGE CUT SUGGESTION. LONDON, May 18. The miners adopted an uncompromising attitude at to-day’s conference with Mr Baldwin, which adjourned until to-morrow. It is understood that Mr Baldwin urged the miners to agree to a. temporary reduction of their wages, in order to enable a committee, which is to be set up. to reorganise the whole industry. Tim miners unanimously declared that they would not submit io any proposals involving a reduction of their wages. Neither could they hold cut any hope of success at Thursday’s conference unless Mr Baldwin made it perfectly clear that the miners’ wages were not going to be attacked. LONDON, May IS. Further railway trouble has arisen, according to an official statement issued at tile conclusion of a joint meeting of the three railway trade union executives at London this evening. The statement says; The trouble is due to the fhilure of the railway companies to reinstate large numbers of their employees under the terms of settlement reached between the companies and the trade unions last Friday. The unions have received very strong complaints from their branches throughout the country, particularly on the northern lines. The unions Inve decided to ask the companies for an immediate meeting to discuss the difficulties. MANV STILL IDLE. LONDON, May 18. An idea of the gigantic nature of tlie strike is to be gathered from the fact that workers in various quarters have still not [adjusted their differences, though every effort is being made.

At Manchester, the dockers, after resumption, came out again, in conseqeunco of a dispute with the Ship

Canal Company over the reinstatement of, strikers but subsequently they returned. The Bristol dockers and transporters tiro still arguing with the employers. Negotiations over the volunteer question having broken clown, the Aliddlesborougli dockers refuse to return. The Swansea docks are idle, owing to a disagreement between the Great Western Railway and the Strike Committee. The latter claims Hint ibe clerical staff should be reinstated simultaneously. The company contend that they can only return as required. There is further friction at Hull, as the result of the alleged victimisation, of the trannvaymen. The Unions say that one hundred of them have not been taken back. They' also state that, when the staff of the tramway power .station reported, they that they were not wanted. PuVhYc protest meetings have been called.