A GRAVE ASPECT.

Taranaki Daily News, 11 April 1921, Page 5

A GRAVE ASPECT.

LOSS OF MINES INVOLVED. PREMIER APPEALS TO CITIZENS. VOLUNTEERS FOR NATIONAL SERVICES. Received April 10, 5.5 p.m. London, April 8. Mr. Lloyd George, in the House of Commons, said it was clear the miners had decided to give the mines to destruction, and it was the Government’s duty, as the nation’s trustee, to prevent such a catastrophe. For the first time in the country’s history it was confronted with an attempt to coerce it into capitulation by the destruction of its resources. The Government proposed to call for volunteers to maintain the national services, and adequate protection would be given to them. Mr. Lloyd George said the police were inadequate for the task, and therefore he appealed to patriotic citizens to enrol as volunteers. Mr. J. R. Clynes (tabor) said the damage to the mines; in the majority of cases, was comparatively small. It was clear that if conditions had not been laid down a conference could have taken place early in the week, and the dispute perhaps* settled. He did not question the elaborate precautions taken, but he urged the Premier to remove the only obstacle to a conference.—Ana. and N.Z. Cable Assn.

ENGLISH MINES DRY. PUMPS WORKING IN MOST MINES. LONDON’S MILK SUPPLY. Received April 10, 5.5 p.m. London, April 8. The directors of the Great Western Railway have circularised the staff stating that there is no truth in the reports that in August, when the railways will be de-controlled, an attempt will be made to revert to pre-war rates. They also remind the staff that their conditions of service provide that they shall give seven or twenty-eight days’ notice, according to the terms of agreement before ceasing work. While Welsh and Scottish miners continue intimidating the pump men, there is little interference with colliery officials and volunteers who are keeping the English pits dry. The pumps are still working in most mines in Lancashire, Yorkshire, Derbyshire, Northumberland, Durham and Warwickshire. The Board of Trade announces that in the event of a transport strike it will take over the whole London milk 884 &Z, QkH* Amo,