STRIKE BEGINS.

Taranaki Daily News, 2 April 1921, Page 5

STRIKE BEGINS.

MINERS LEAVE THE PITS. PASSIVE METHODS ADOPTED. TRIPLE ALLIANCE INVOLVED. NO COAL FOR RAILWAYS. By Telegraph.— Press Assn.—Copyright. Received April 1, $.30 p.m. London, March 31. The miners everywhere are bringing up their tools and pit ponies. Even at Durham 50,000 miners are striking, though they recently voted in favor of a district settlement. The King has issued a proclamation declaring a state of emergency under the Emergency Powers Act of 1020. There are indications that the response to the miners’ call upon engine and pump men is not likely to be generally obeyed. The South Wales, Yorkshire and Scottish enginemen decided to remain at work. Apart from the withdrawal of the pump men, which the miners’ leaders consider legitimate industrial warfare, all the miners’ agents are advising the men to refrain from sabotage, which will place them outside the privileges of the Trades Disputes Act. Instead the Miners’ Federation advi-•'» organised passive resistance to coal production. Sir Robert Horne (President of the Board of Trade) waited at the Board of Trade all day, hoping the miners’ executive would seek another interview before ordering the men to cease work, but the executive left London for the coal districts without even sending a message. It is understood the Government has decided that the miners are not entitled to unemployment pay, as this is a trade dispute, and the miners angrily resent this decision. The Daily Chronicle says that as the de-control of the railways comes in August the railwaymen’s leaders state that it is in their interest to join the miners’ fight instead of waiting for the expiration of control. It is understood they will propose next week that the triple alliance will not handle any coal for the railways, thus bringing the railways to a standstill, and no coal will be * loaded for export. —Aus. and N.Z. (Cable Assn.

A SERIOUS OUTLOOK.

fIGHT OX THE WAGE QUESTION. ALL LABOR FORCES INVOLVED. Received April 1, 8.5 p.m. London, April 1. There is a general tendency to regard JEhe labor crisis as more serious than pny similar crisis. Firstly, the miners directly appealed for the triple alliances active support, whereas previously they were content to leave the partners free to make their own decision. Secondly, the railwaymen’s and transporters’ leaders declare that this is the first engagement in a prolonged struggle on the wage reduction question, affecting them equally jrith the miners.

There i® no present indication that the frank and file desire to fight, but Mr. Harry Gosling (president of the Transport Workers’ Federation) says: “This is not only a miners’ question, but it will affect us the same way, because it is an attempt to revert to the district friegotiation scheme instead of the national system.” Mr C. T. Cramp (secretary of the National Union of Railwaymen) says his executive regards the position as a preJude to a general attempt to destroy national negotiations and reduce wages. and N.Z. Cable Assn.

WORKING THE PUMPS. NAVAL STOKERS NOT AVAILABLE. TASK FOR THE OWNERS. Received April 1, 5.5 p.m. London, April 1. It is understood the Government is finable to guarantee that naval stokers will run the pumps, and the duty of protecting the mines will devolve on the coal owners, whose mnaagere, overseers and others outside the Miners’ Federation will do their best to save the pits. —Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assn.

ADVICE AGAINST STRIKE.

RAMSAY MACDONALD’S PLEA. Received April 1, 5.5 p.m. London, March 31. Mr. Ramsay Macdonald, writing in fhe paper Forward, warns the miners that a strike now would be disastrous for the Labor movement. Capital would toot suffer if every mine was rendered idle for a week or two. The major markets are overstocked, and it is a good time for a holiday, and capitalists (Will be relieved, while Mr. Lloyd George Will be provided with a good text for fcis next scare speech.—Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assn.

THE TRIPLE ALLIANCE

MEETINGS ARRANGED. London, March 31. The miners’ executive considered reports from the railwaymen and transporters and decided to return to their districts to place the position respecting the triple alliance before the lodges to-morrow. Mr. Cramp states that the railwaymen, regarding the position as a prelude to a general attempt to reduce wages, have decided to call a delegate meeting on Wednesday. The transporters* delegates will meet 0n Tuesday.