GENERAL STRIKE ENDED.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3036, 15 May 1926, Page 3

GENERAL STRIKE ENDED.

V TERMS OF SIR 11. SAMUEL’S MEMORANDUM. London, May 12. The general strike in Great Britain lias been called off unconditionally. The settlement ~of the general strike is based on the following memorandum drawn up by Sir Herbert Samuel, acting entirely on his own initiative: (1) Renewal of subsidy for a reasonable period. (2) Creation of a mining wages board. (3) No revision of the previous wages unless the miners are assured that the Coal Commission’s plan for reorganisation . can be adopted effectively. The Trades Union Congress accepted the settlement, it is said, in reply to Mr. Baldwin’s public assurances. Official. —The miners do not resume work pending a delegate conference. DIGNIFIED ANNOUNCEMENT BY MR. BLADWIN. The Prime Minister, Mr. Baldwin, in a dignified speech .in the House of Commons, said: “It is a victory for common sense. We must not look backwards, but forwards, work in the spirit of co-operation, and leave all malice and vindictiveness behind.” , Mr. Ramsay MacDonald paid a * warm tribute to the large spirit of Mr. Baldwins’ statement, in regard to which he said the Opposition would do nothing by way of breach. ATTITUDE OF MINERS. Mr. A. J. Cook, secretary of the Miners’ Federation, declared that as far as the miners were concerned they would stand where they were. A delegate conference was being called for May 14, and would hear a full report on the situation and then decide future action. PROBLEM OF VOLUNTEER LABOUR-

The problem now outstanding is the question of volunteer labour. The Government officially announces that it has no power to compel the reinstatement of strikers, nor has it entered into any such obligations. Replacements are inevitable owing to the obligations towards volunteers. BROADCASTED SPEECH BY MR. BALDWIN. Attention, however, is called to the broadcasted speech by Mr. Baldwin, in which he states that he hopes work will be resumed in a spirit of co-operation, free from malice and vindictiveness. / * “The strike has ended without conditions because I insisted that no Government confronted with such a menace could enter conditional negotiations, the undertaking of which would be treachery to Britain’s democratic Constitution. I have felt no bitterness, because I realised that the trade unions’ action, although unconstitutional, was dominated by sympathy for the miners, I will enter without delay into negotiation with the owners and the miners. Let the employers generally act generously and the workers put their hearts loyally into the ii&sk NO RECRIMINATION. “The nation must not waste time in recriminations, but set England, Scotland, Wales, and North Ireland going again. The Government’s heartfelt thanks are due to all assisting to resist the strike menace. The people responded to the Government’s appeal and answered very claim upon their love of freedom and fair play. My thanks go to thousands of special constables and a whole army of volunteers, men, women, and even children, demonstrating that the national services can be discharged and even improvised when the national safety is threatened. I have to thank the stall of the “Brtiish Gazette” and must mention admiration of the Army’s, Navy’s, Air Force’s, and police’s devotion, courage, and patience.” In the House of Commons, in reply to Mr. MacDonald, Commander Monsell said Mr Baldwin at present was not able to make a further statement regarding the end of the strike. Mi' MacDonald said: We accept the situation whole-heartedly. I do not propose to say anything further. The House then adjourned.

STAGGERING BLOW TO ANARCHY. GRATIFICATION IN UNITED STATES. New York, May 12. Gratification everywhere is expressed at the termination of the British strike. President Green, of the American Federation of Labour, said that the working people of the United States, in common with other groups, were gratified to learn that the general strike was at an end. The Secretary of Commerce (Mr 1 . Herbert Hoover) said that the whole world was relieved and glad that a settlement had been reached. The Secretary of Labour (Mr. J. J. Davis) said that the promptness with which it was brought to an end and the manner in which it was conducted proved conclusively that the British workers were not dominated by Communists or other Radical groups. The New York “Evening Post” said: “The Government and people of Britain have won a notable victory. Premier Baldwin has given a knock-out blow to the scheme for a general

strike.” The New York “Sun” said that the calling off of the strike gave Britain a cause for rejoicing and the rest of the civilised world a feeling of great relief. The New York “Telegram”: “Tlfe collapse of the greatest of all strikes is the most important event in recent history. Popular Government has dealt a staggering blow to anarchy organised in Soviet Russia and elsewhere for the purpose of world disorganisation.” Difficulties have arisen over the settlement of the general strike and it will be some time before there is normal resumption. LABOUR LEADER’S REMARKS. London, May 13. Details of the fateful conference which preceded the settlement show that Mr Pugh, on behalf of the Trade Unions Council, said that in view of the developments pointing to a possibility of getting back to negotiations in conjunction with Mr. Baldwin’s statement, he would leave no stone unturned to do so. They were there to say the general strike should be terminated forthwith in order that negotiations might proceed. Mr. Baldwin, in reply, thanked God for their decision. This was no lime for lengthy discussions. He would lose no time in attempting to get the contending parties together, and all possible to ensure a just and lasting settlement. Air. Thomas said Mr. Baldwin had answered them in the way they had expected. Things could not be righted in a day or two or a week but whatever view was taken of the dispute it. was a common agreement that assistance from the two parties who had previously been in opposition was essential to rectify and start things on the right road. The Trade Unions Council intended to give assistance, and trusted Air. Baldwin’s word as Prime Minister, and asked him to assist them in any way he could by asking 'the employers and all others to make the position as easy as possible, because one thing they must not have was guerrilla warfare. That must be avoided. Nothing would be worse than that. The great decision they had taken should not be interpreted otherwise than as a general desire to do the right thing in a difficult moment for industry and the nation. Air. Devin asked if Air. Baldwin was prepared to make a general request that ready facilities for reinstatement should be given forthwith. He expressed the opinion that the employers would respond. His side was quite prepared to co-operate with the employers to repair the damage. Air. Baldwin could trust him to do his best to get the country into the condition all wanted to see it. His object was to get the miners started at the first moment possible. lie could not say exactly the lines on which that object could best be attained, but he would leave no stone unturned to accomplish the desired end. Both sdes had to accomplish a great deal of anxious and difficult work. The sooner they got to it the better.