STRIKE TO-DAY.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 April 1921, Page 5

STRIKE TO-DAY.

TRIPLE ALLIANCE DECISION. MORE UNIONS INVOLVED. MEN NOT UNANIMOUS. FURTHER PEACE EFFORTS. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. London, April 13. The triple alliance has decided to strike on Friday in support of the miners. Received April 14, 10.35 p.m. London, April 13. The locomotive men, the engineers and the firemen have decided to strike on Friday. $ lhe seamen and firemen’s ballot is so far against a strike. The miners’ leaders ffiake no secret of the fact that the railwaymen and the transporters have thus far shown no eagerness to strike. The electrical trades union is ready to join the strike if the triple alliance decides its support is desirable.

A conference of the unions affiliated with the rederation of General Workers, with a membership of a million and a half, has been summoned for Thursday to decide whether to join the strike. Though the triple alliance decided against an official peace move, individual Labor leaders, including Mr. J. R. Clynes and Mr. Arthur Henderson, are making efforts to bring the coal owners and miners together again.—Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assn.

A GRAVE DECISION.

PREMIER’S VIEW OF THE CRISIS. THREAT TO LIFE OF NATION. Received April 14, 10.35 p.m. London, April 13. Mr. Lloyd George, replying to Mr. Thomas’ intimation that a strike by ( the triple alliance will begin on Friday, says: “The decision is a grave one. You threaten to dislocate the whole of the transport services of the country so essential to the life of the nation, and I should like to know on what grounds you determined to inflict such a serious blow on your fellow countrymen.”—Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assn.

THE PREMIER’S HOPE.

WISER COUNSELS MAY PREVAIL. IMPORTANT LABOR CONFERENCE. Received April 14, 10.50 p.m. London, April 13. The Parliamentary committee of the Trade Union Congress, the national executive of the Labor Party, and the Parliamentary Labor Party confer regarding the industrial situation to-mor-row. Mr. Lloyd Georgfc, in the House of Commons, announced the railwaymen’s and transporters’ decision to strike, but he hoped wiser counsels would yet prevail. No good purpose would be served by proceeding with the discussion on calling up the reserves. Mr. Clynes said the Labor Party shared that view. Between now and Friday other counsels might prevail, and other steps would be taken. It is understood the census will be postponed if the strike begins.—Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assn.

STRIKE MAY BE SHORT.

RIOTING AT SOME MINES. SOLDIERS GUARD THE PITS. Received April 15, 12.5 a.m. London, April 14. The Labor Party will move an amendment during the emergency regulations debate to-day, protesting against the Government's costly and warlike measures against loyal citizens who are exercising a legal right to resist encroachment on their standard of living. The Daily Chronicle says Government circles believe that if a strike occurs it will not last beyond a fortnight. Rioting continues in a few mining districts, especially East Fife, where marines and soldiers have now arrived and are protecting volunteers who are firing the boilers. It is hoped to resume pumping at midnight.

■Soldiers stand at the pitheads with fixed bayonets, and wearing steel helmets, with their rifles loaded and Lewis guns placed above the pithead works. The miners are taking the situation philosophically, standing outside the steel wire barriers and flinging gibes at the stolid Highlanders standing on guard.—Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assn.

OWNERS’ FINAL OFFER. London, April 13. The President of the Mine-Owners’ Association states that the owners had offered all they had to give. He challenged the miners to show that the industry could provide more. The miners informed the Triple Alliance that the conference negotiations could not be resumed with any hope of success on the present proposals of the Government and the owners. A stage had been reached when the Alliance would to take aotioib