THE BRITISH STRIKE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3034, 11 May 1926, Page 2

THE BRITISH STRIKE.

NO BICIS OF SETTLEMENT. London, May 9. Railway and shipping conditions arc returning to normal and food distribution is greatly improved. The streets are safe for the public despite the spread of groundless rumours to the contrary. Mr. McDonald, in an interview said the strike was purely industrial and in no way aimed against the Government or constitution. Speaking on behalf of the combined Christian churches, the Archbishop of Canterbury urges the cancellation of the general strike, a renewal of the coal subsidy for a short period and the mine owners withdrawal of the new wages scale. The Government is determined to take steps to prevent the attempt made to starve the people and wreck the slate. The Whr Office has denied stories that troops refused to carry out strike duties, and declares that troops have not yet been called out, with the exception of a few Guards at vulnerable points, although units have been moved into certain districts in order to be available in the event of emergency. It also denies that the army reserve has been mobilised. FOREIGN PRESS OPINIONS. New York, May 7. The full seriousness of the British strike is now being brought home here as days pass without settlement. The following extracts from New York newspaper comments illustrate the opniion generally:— “Sun”: “There is no country on earth whose people will not be affected. The whole world must feel (he shock, and a permanent loss will be registered against Britain, which will not be Capital alone, but ■ to Labour generally throughout the British Isles.” “Telegraph”: “John Bull has a habit of staying true to form, no matter what the emergency by which he is confronted.” “Herald-Tribune”: “On both sides are men seeking a way out before the crisis becomes a gigantic catastrophe. As is usually the case, plunging into a hole is much easier than climbing out.” “American”: “The question in England to-day is: Shall the Empire be ruled by national vote or by one-eighth of the people enrolled in labour unions? No sound reason can be given for permitting any one group, whether it represent unionism, Freemasonry, some particular church, or any other body, to take charge of the nation.” “The World”: “The situation grows more menacing, and yet more hopeful, with each day’s news. It discloses the leaders on both sides to be sober men.” “New York Times”: “The strike was plainly in intent a gigantic ),luff ,by tiie Labour leaders, who did not really expect to carry it out.” Paris, May 8. Press comments regarding the general strike in Britain emphasise its political aspect as a step towards a social revolution. They express the opinion that Britain’s resistance to the movement will be victorious. The Communist “Humanitc’ publishes a manifesto by the General confederation of Labour announcing the decision to open a national subscription in support of the British strikers.