MINERS RUSH TO WORK

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12607, 18 November 1926, Page 7

MINERS RUSH TO WORK

LONG-IDLE INDUSTRY RESUMING PRODUCTION CARGOES SHIPPED FOR EXPORT STATE’S DOLES TO MINERS COST OVER FIVE MILLIONS By Telegraph.—Press Association.—Copyright. Australian and New Zealand Cable Association. (Received November 17, 11.50 p.m.) LONDON, November 16. There are already 350,000 miners at work; 12,984 returned to-day. There was such a rush in Glamorgan that the police were compelled to form the workers into a queue outside the colliery. Prospects from all districts are reported good, and there are hopes of providing full employment for practically all the men. The first export cargoes have been shipped from Newport. Sir Kingsley Wood, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Health, introduced in the House of Commons a Supplementary Estimate of £3,250,000 for the relief of unemployment, making a total expenditure of £5,471,000, wholly due to the coal strike. The increase in receipts since May Ist was £1,162,000. “STRIKE FINANCED BY BOARDS OF GUARDIANS”

Miss Susan Lawrence (Lab.) moved ’ the reduction of the vote, in order to call attention to the policy of expecting the repayment of loans to strikers when the money was needed to feed future citizens. Miss Wilkinson (Lab.) drew a pathetic picture of men and women who got into debt during unemployment, and were never able to recover. Miss Margaret Bondfield (Lab.) urged the desirableness of so training youths that labour would he more fluid and adaptable. Training centres for young were badly needed.

Mr Neville Chamberlain, Minister for Health, in replying to the debate, said it was not unfair to say that the strike had been financed by Boards of Guardians, but he could not agree that it was the duty of the Government to maintain anybody who had disputes with employers. Owing to the fact that a large part of the relief was given in kind, and the children were fed in the schools, the children had been better fed than when their fathers were working. The vote was carried by 215 votes to 81, and the House adjourned.