STRIKE AT HOME.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 May 1921, Page 5

STRIKE AT HOME.

SETTLEMENT EFFORTS. KO TANGIBLE DEVELOPMENT. £ STRIKE PAY DWINDLING. 4 9J Telegraph.—Press Assn —Copyright. Received May 20, 5.5 p.m. London, May 19. In regard to the coal strike, unofficial conversations continue, but there is no tangible development. The Pall Mall Gazette says one suggested settlement being considered is along the lines that the Government grant of £10.000.000 be substantially increased, and that the State should recover the amount advanced by means of a tax on output, or even a tax leviable on increased output. Both the owners and the miners consider the scheme contain® the elements of a permanent settlement.

Strike pay is dwindling. The Scottish miners now only receive ten shillings weekly. The miners have been informed that they will have to pay a double contribution when the strike ends until the unions’ debt is wiped out. Leicester miners are only receiving five shillings’ worth of trading vouchers, and Derbyshire miners are getting nothing, as their union is unable to raise a loan.— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

A STRIKE THROUGH IGNORANCE. TRUE -POSITION WITHHELD. Received May 20, 8.25 p.m. London, May 19. Mr. George Roberts, M.P., addressing the Industrial League Council, eaid the coal strike was protracted, not because of the righteousness of the cause, but owing to the cowardice of the leaders, who were afraid to tell the rank and file that the country could not maintain an industry which could not maintain itanif. Every trade union in the country was bankrupt, and membership was decreasing. Trade unions would cease to be a force, and this would be brought about by people within the ranks of the unions.— Gable Assn.

UNOFFICIAL NEGOTIATIONS. KEEPING GLASGOW OPEN. London, May 19. H is denied that the Government suggested the coal settlement scheme circulated by the Central News. Nothing but unofficial conversations are taking place. Volunteer dockers are behind gates guarded by marines. The police are striving with might and main to keep the port of Glasgow open. Passports are demanded at the gates. Few of the public are aware what ia transpiring, least of all the defence measures. A guardship is berthed at the docks, machine guns mounted on the roof of the power station. Marines garrison the sheds With tanks to defend vulnerable points.

The miners marched in a procession to the docks, but troops with Lewis guns held possession of the threatened gates, and the demonstrators peaceably ’departed. Meanwhile volunteers drawn from all ranks have replaced the dockers and are working steadily, though naturally slower than trained men. They sleep and have meals within the docks. The women and girls are accommodated aboard liners.