THE CRISIS PASSED

Taranaki Daily News, 6 October 1919, Page 5

THE CRISIS PASSED

STRIKERS RETURNING TO WORK. - GOVERNMENT WITHHOLDING WEEK'S WAGES, By Tt&craph.—Frew Aisn.—Copyright. London, Oct. t. ■ AtSe in London la easier, owing to the running of a quicker underground service and the re-opening of lines hitherto closed. An official communique- at noon stated that fuller train services were running, enabling the withdrawal of. one colSwt of milk lorries. More Hon am returning to work, and the emergency road transport arrangements are being rapidly supplemented j by an extended use of coastwise and 1 river traffic. A communique in the evening reported further improvement daring the day, and unofficial reports confirm the statement that numbers of strikers are returning. ■ The interference with the trains in Beotland it attributed to the strikers fcnnoyanoi that so many have resumed. The Caxton Hall conference has been adjourned till to-morrow afternoon. The transport workers' deputation have again conferred-with the railwaymen. A review of Die situation states that the prospects were blackest carry is the afternoon of October 1 (Wednesday), but there was a dramatic change when the conference opened at Caxton Hall. It had bees fully expected that, as '■ the result of the conference, the whole *f the transport workers would join the strike forthwith, adding hundreds of thousands more to the strikers and others rendered idle owing to the railwaymen's action. Those idle, as a result of the strike, K ready number 650,100, including 400.K> miners, 150,000 iron and steel workers, 40,000 dockers, and 26,000 tin plate workers. A hundred thousand others (ire working half time. ' There was a great crowd at Westminster and in tM vicinity of Caxton Hall, including many strikers, but at least as many opposed to the strike. There was considerable cheering and boomg when Messrs Thomas, Cramp, arid other leaders were recognised. The ' feature of the conference, however, JJTOVed to be the rally of the moderate £rade unionists.—Ang.-N.Z. Caibte Assn. The Government announces that it is Mthholding the railwaymen's wages for last week «■ the ground that they broke •their contracts and failed to give due notice for Which railwaymen are legally liable. The damages owing to the stoppage of work are much greater than th*" amount of wage* withheld. The newspapers recall the Victorian Government's example in claiming l from railway strikers a week's wages in lieu of notice. Two thousand five hundred trains ran to-day, including 190 goods trains. Mr Frank Hodge, secretary of the Miners' Federation, attended the afternoon conference. Mr Thomas announced in the evening that negotiations had broken down because the Government's offer was the same as Friday's. Telegrams are pouring in showing the strength and solidarity of railwaymen. Other trades union sharing the railwaymen's views are making another attempt at a settlement. They regard the Government's decision to withhold s Week's wages as a grave mistake, which will only tend to stiffen the railwaymen's backs. ,1> . London, Oct. 2. Thi deputation of transporters to Mr JUoyd George reported to the railway'men's executive the result of last night's deliberations and, after eighty minutes' discussion, proceeded to Down' fag Street to resume the conference with Mr Lloyd George. The railwaymen did not attend. After two hours the deputation withdrew, and subsequently consulted the railwaymen's executive, as well as the Caxton Hall conference. The avalice, during the day, cleared Downing Street, where great crowds had collected, including a considerable proportion of strikers. Several members of the Cabinet who called on Mr Lloyd George were accorded a mixed reception. There was some booing and hissing when Sir Eric Geddes and Sir Robot Borne appeared, and it became necessary for the police and detectives to . clear a passage te> enable them to proceed. ■ ■•• The strikers at an important railway centre have pledged themselves to resume work if assured that their wages will not be reduced before the end of March. Mr. Lloyd George thereupon gave the ateutaMe, stating that the promise was already indicated in the Government's offer to the executive.—Aus.-NZ Gable 'Assn. Received Oct. 4, 1.50 p.m. London, Oct. 3. The Government announces that the fiailwaymen's Executive rejected the offer of arbitration.—United Service.

SITUATION EASIER. .deceived Oct 6, 5.5 pjn. London, Oct. 3. -it. Bromley, this afternoon, said the railway situation was easier.—Aua.-N.Z. Gable. Asm. JOIOT AT LIMERKK. , ' Received Oct. 4, 1.60 p.m. Leaden, Oct. 3. The abandonment of the Limerick' races yesterday caused a riot. Two thousand people pail fer admission, •arid, owing to delay in returning the money, mobbed and chased the racecourse secretary upstairs into the grandstand*, where they rebbed Mm of the wages of the staff. The police repeatedly charged with batons, and wen met with volleys of bottles. Still they eventually drove off the crowd after much damage to buildings and inJury tie a number of persons. Pickets at the goods yard at Kings Gross yestertay prevented the departure of m number «f vans driven by UftaoSstt and -vohmteers inside the yard. lit wbtfetrs were determined to nm the "Hoetade. Certain I*vatan Gower organised a SttWT of fotrr wagons driven by a «olonel and oQwr officers. The wag* gow imeaeeted in paring pickets desjaifcl «tMte4uv*teffr~Aiiß.-ir.Z. Cable

SANGER* IN THE BALANCE, THf-GOVERNMENT'S TERMS, STATED" TO BE UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER, , Received Oct. 4, 2.30 p.m. London, Oct. 3. Hopes hang in the balance at Caxton Hall. The committee continues its efforts for mediation, and is now closeted with the 'Premier, hut Mr Cramp's extremists have still the upper hand in the Railwaymen's Executive. He secured the refusal of the Government's terms yesterday, declaring that they were equal to a demand for unconditional surrender, which the railwaymen cannot possibly accept. The full Cabinet met in the evening, and continued its deliberations till morning. The lord Chancellor and Attorney General were called in. It is unknown whe'ther the mediators are passing from the advocacy of compromise to threats of strikes in support of railwaymen, but Mr Williams, who is acting as the committee's secretary, refers to the other unions becoming affected. The vehicle workers' strike' ballot papers are to be returned to-night. The Ministry of Transport has issued an urgent call for two thousand volunteer bus conductors in view of possibilities. A number of unions in the provinces are carrying resolutions in favor of sympathetic strikes. Some are voting levies to assist the railwaymen. Picketing and ( counter-picketing have intensified. There have been a few conflicts, but reports of attempted sabotage continue. The latest attempt was to derail a train at 'Dumbarton by the feeble effort of a chair placed across a rail. The engine brushed it aside. The Herald's reports from seventy provincial strike committees contain numerous demands for the resignation of Sir Auckland Geddes?—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Asm. London, Oct. 8. A settlement i| believed to be in sight. The railwaymen have accepted a formula which pleases the Premier. All are conferring at Downing Street. Official reports state that replying to a telegraphic inquiry from the editor of the Liverpool Express, Mr Lloyd George telegraphed: "Every man who returns to work immediately will be reinstated and receive his back pay due. —Reuter. London, Oct. 3. The railwaymen left Downing Street, announcing "No settlement."

PROPOSALS AND COUNTERPROPOSALS. ■ ALL REJECTED. CONFERENCE TERMINATED Received Oct. 5 5.5 p.m. London, Oct. 3. An official announcement regarding the conference states that the Government proposed the following basis upon which negotiations could be continued:— (1) Upon the strikers resuming work negotiations would be resumed -at the point where they were broken off on September 26. (2) The Government will guarantee no reduction in wages until March 31 next, and at any time after December 31 the Government will be ready to discuss, in view of the circumstances then existing, a possible extension of that date. (3) The Government is prepared to discuss any unfairness or hardship to any particular grade of workmen through the operation of the scheme of standardisation. (4) In the event of failure to agree on any question arising in connection with paragraph 3, the matter be referred to arbitration. The National Union of Railwaymen refused these terms. Mr. Lloyd George then proposed a truce to the strike for a few days in order that negotiations might be resumed. The Railwaymen's Union agreed, but only on condition that the Govtrnnrent was prepared to work out a basis of standardisation to operate similarly to the various grades as in the case of those grades where a settlement had been effected. The Government rejected this proposal, because the grades referred to were settled on their special merits, and the understanding was that the other grades now in dispute would be settled on their own merits, and because the demand was only a repetition of the original claim, which had already been refused. Mr. Lloyd George then made the following counter-proposals: The Government is prepared to agree to a'truce of seven days -from date, with full resumption of work in order to discuss, firstly, the period of standardisation of wages; secondly, any \infairness or hardship in any particular grade arising under the standardisation. In the event of failure to agree on any question, it be referred to arbitration. The Premier indicated tha,t if the men were prepared to return to work on this basis the arrears of wages would be paid to the strikers, but if, at the end of five days after resumption, the men concluded that negotiations could'not be brought to a satisfactory conclusion, they must undertake to give 48 hours' notice before ceasing work. If negotiations' are again broken off, the men should agree to hand over all the plant in good working order, and run all trains to their destinations; also, the men should agree to work harmoniously with the railway servants who remained or returned to work. The Railway Executive agreed to undertake that there would be no victimisation of strikers. The National Union of Railwaymen rejected this proposal, and the conference terminated.—Reuter. MR. THOMAS' .HEROICS. CAN ALONE STOP A-REVOLUTION. Received Oct. 5, 11.50 p.m. #ew York, Oct. 3. The New York Times' London correspondent states that be interviewed Mr. Thomas, who stated: "I am running tbU strike alone, being profoundly, convinced that the country is in imminent danger of a revolution, and that I am the only man who can stop it. I admit there are certain circumstances in which a State is justified in saying that ao part | of fa* community can dictate to the State, Ibut in this case the State is in the position of an employer. I steadily refused the assistance of other unions, ' though they voted unanimously in sup. ,port of us, but I love my coug^y/and

A FATEFUL CONFERENCE. &DVERSE ACTION OP OUTSIDE UNIONS. . DIRECT ACTION POSSIBLE. V" Received Oct. 6, 5.5 p.m. London, Oct. 3. Mr. Lloyd George, at noon to-day re-' -ceived the transport workers' delegation. This is considered as the most fateful interview of the week. The Miners' Federation was invited to send representatives, and the meeting adjourned. The transporters had a conference this afternoon. The Official communique states there was a marked improvement in the railway traffic, particularly in goods trains. More men are coming back. A review of the situation states that one of the most remarkable features of the crisis consists of the efforts outside trade unions have made, and are making, to prevent the extension of the strike. There is no parallel in the history of trade disputes of such intermediary action, which is partly due to the fact that the leaders know that many of the trades unionists consider the railwaymen have no real justification for their lightning strike, and to the fear that there will be only a partial response to the call for a general strike, but it is also due to the leaders realising that the railwaymen aje not. fighting private employers, so there is a possibility of the dispute, at any moment, developing into full political direct action, a movement which the majority of .the responsible leaders desire to avoid. Even such a fire-eater as Robert Williams is foremost among the negotiators. Practically the whole of the executives of the principal trade unions have been sitting at Caxton Hall so as to be able to make an instant decision regarding the strike. Some of these delegates walked from Manchester to London, refusing to ride in blackleg trains.—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn.

A FAVORABLE CHANGE, * FURTHER CONFERENCES, Received Oct. 5, 11.30 p.m. London, Oct. 3. The situation underwent a favorable change this afternoon. The transporters' deputation, after leaving Downing Street, had a prolonged conference with the railwaymen, and it is generally understood they carried assurances from the Premier which greatly eased the position. In view of the new turn of affairs, the transporters' conference was adjourned for two hours, Meanwhile, the deputation returned to Downing Street, accompanied by the railwaymen's executive. The railwaymen's presence is regarded as a most hopeful sign.—Aus.-N.Z. (Sable Assn. MORE TRAINS RUNNING. FURTHER OUTRAGES ATTEMPTED. Received Oct. 5, 11.30 p.m. London, Oct. 3. A total of 3480 trains ran to-day, including 400 goods' trains. There have been further attempted outrages in various parts of the country. Only the daylight trains are running, and none have been derailed. Owing to the improved trains, the Government has discontinued the inland air mails. The police arrested six men who were attempting to interfere with a van load of goods from Euston Station.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. APPEAL TO ASSIST POLICE. \ TO PROTECT PROPERTY. I Received Oct. 5, 11.30 p.m. London, Oct. 4. | The Government has issued an appeal to the Lord Lieutenants, Mayors, and local authorities to take active steps to form citizen guards to assist the police to protect property, maintain order, to secure the liberty of peaceful citizens, and to maintain the supply of food.— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

NAVALS HELP COAL TRAFFIC. VEHICLE WORKERS MAY STRIKE. PROMPT RESPONSE TO APPEAL FOR HELP. : Received Oct. 6, 11.30 p.m. [ London, Oct. 4. Five hundred naval ratings have arrived in South Wales, and are helping to restore the goods and minerals traffic between the ports and the coal field, which has hitherto been at a standshill A hundred and sixty thousand colliers in the district are idle through the railway strike, and nearly as many other workers, including thirty thousand railwaymen. Naval and military detachments have arrived at Carlisle. Bluejackets are at work in the signal cabins and assist in stoking, whjle soldiers are employed in the locomotive sheds. The vehicle workers will hold their hands till Tuesday, Smith assuring them that the whole of the affiliated members will then probably strike in the event of the non-settlement of the railwaymen's dispute. A meeting of the Croydon district branch carried a resolution in favor of a strike within 24 hours. The first week's strike pay totalled £300,000. There has been a prompt response throughout the country to the appeal for a citizen guard. The latter wear the police armlet, but not the uniform, and their primary duties are to relieve the military of the bulk of the guard duties, in accordance with the Government policy of keeping the military strictly in reserve. The Government has urged the public to travel as little as possible on Sunday. Accordingly passenger trains have been suspended on the chief main lines in order tq, give the voluntary workers a reßt. Nearly four thousand volunteers are employed on the underground railways, and no more are required. Offices are opening in the city and county of London for the enrolment of volunteers for food distribution. Cabinet, which met to-day, is strongly impressed with the large numbers of discharged soldiers and sailors asking to be allowed to permanently succeed the railway strikers and be allowed to occupy the strikers' cottages. An official communique states that the train services are etill growing and that foodstuffs, in the hands of retailers, are well distributed, and are, if anything, more plentiful than on the first 4fty ■©!

* CAUSE OF DEADLOCK. Received Oct. 6, 5.5 p.m. London, Oct. 3, The high hopes of a speedy settlement of the railway strike which were general yesterday have vanished, and the best! that can "be said now is that the door' is not barred and bolted, but is still ajar. , The renewal of the deadlock arises from Mr. Lloyd George's contention that the men must return to work before negotiations can be resumed. The railwaymen's leaders refuse to consider this, as it would, if agreed to, he interpreted as a defeat, whereas the railwaymen still show fight. Messrs Thomas and Bromley decline to order the men back unless they are., assured that the Government intend to amend their position regarding the scale of wages of the transport works -and the . other unions associated with the railwaymen. They however, are trying to find a formula which will be satisfactory to Mr. Lloyd George without offending the railwaymen. . The alternative is an extension of the strike, which all, except the extremists, are desirous of avoiding. How undesirable it would be to extend the strike is emphasised by the fact that a number of provincial branches of the railwaymen yesterday telegraphed to Mr. Thomas suggesting a resumption of work. All the leaders recognise that public opinion, as opposed to trade unionism, is mobilised against the strike. MEAGRE STRIKE PAY. Moreover, the small amount of strike pay is troubling many. This is based on the rules of the union, which were framed before the war, and is quite inadequate in face of the present price? of foodstuffs. RETENTION OF WEEK'S WAGES. The holding back of the railwaymen's pay is much debated, many of the public doubting the wisdom of so drastic a step, especially when negotiations are going on. The Government has issued an explanation, taking full responsibility for the decision. It points out that it would not be justified in handing over to the strikers a sum which would be used to prolong the struggle. Moreover, it is a long-established railway custom to retain i a week's money in the event of a strike, as the men keep their uniforms.

The Government continually insists that it is not fighting trades unionism, and emphasises this in newspaper advertisements, in the cinemas, in speeches, and by other forms,of publicity.

NATIONAL LIFE CARRIED ON. Perhaps the most remarkable result of the strike has been to prove conclusively that the Government can carry on the national life whether the railways run or not. A week's experience has disproved the oft-repeated contention that the State is at the mercy of the men carrying on the vital services Indeed, motor transport hns been so successful that it actually hfu raised the question whether the strike of Ml 9 may not prove the end of the railway age, which has lasted for a century. Lorries are saving rehandlings by delivering goods to the actual markets, and often actually saving time compared with the railways. The Government is daily introducing improvements, also new schemes and devices. Water-borne transport is supplementing lorries. DISTRIBUTING STATIONS. Regents Park, in addition to Hyde Park, has been closed and converted into a clearing house and market for produce, particularly. fish, vegetables, and frozen meat. The supply of milk is already 75 per cent, of the normal amount. Considerable quantities of coal are being moved by road in the provinces. RAILWAYMEN'S CASE. Mr. Thomas' statement of the railwaymen's case is shown in the cinemas alongside Mr. Lloyd George's. Both writers are postered on the films as an introduction to the messages. Mr. Robert Williams stated at the Caxton Hall conference, after the breakdown of negotiations, that it had been resolved to convene a conference for Tuesday, which would have the authority of responsible trades unions to order or engage in any form of moral and sympathetic support of the railwaymen in the struggle they are waging for trades unionism. ATTEMPTED TRAIN WRECKING. 'The Great Western Company reports that a Bristol train collided with an iron bar clamped to the rails at Swjndon Investigations showed that two pieces of rail, 17 feet long, were also lying across the up and down lines, and large pieces of timber, which a train carried 1700 yards. Elsewhere, pieces of a heavy chain' were laid on the track, but the engine was only slightly damaged in this case and did not leave the rails. LOYALTY OF RAILWAY CLERICS. The officials acknowledge the loyalty and invaluable co-operation of the rail way clerks in re-establishing the train sen-ices.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.