LABOUR WAR IN BRITAIN.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 17116, 11 April 1921, Page 7

LABOUR WAR IN BRITAIN.

GENERAL STRIKE ON TUESDAY. TRIPLE ALLIANCE DECISION. (By Cable—Press Association—Copyright.) (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) LONDON,. April-8. The Triple Alliance has announced that a general strike will start at midnight on Tuesday. The Triple Alliance delegates have returned to thoir districts to await the joint executive's call to action. The King has called out the istfc and volunteers for active service. The Premier, in the House of Commons, read the Royal Message calling the Army and Navy reserves and volunteers for active service. (Received April 10th, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, April 8. It i 3 officially announced that the Triple Alliance has decided to strike. Mr J. H. Thomas, secretary of the National Union of Railwaymen, announces that the railwaymen and transport workers will strike at midnight on Tuesday, failing a re-opening of negotiations. The North-Eastern Railway Firemen's Association has decided to remain a 1; work in any event; After consulting the railway delegates, the transport workers issued- a communique stating that they had pledged themselves to help the miners in any way necessary, the executive being empowered to act whenever the Triple Alliance thought fit. Neither the railwaymen nor the transport workers definitely mention any intention immediately to strike^ The colliery deputies of Derbyshire, Notts, and Stafford have decided to continue working despite the Federation's orders to cease. At the close of tho conference of railwaymen and transport workers, Mr J. H. Thomas issued "a statement as folic, w: —"This is the decision—that the joint meeting of our executives have given notice to the employers and the Government that, unless are re-opened between tho Miners, Federation and the mine-owners or the Government, the full Btrength of the strike power of the Triple Alliance shall, bo put into operation as from Tuesday next at midnight." . Mr J. H. Thomas, addressing a meeting of railwaymen at Paddington, said it was the duty of everyone to still apply themselves to find an honourable solution to the problem. , The Triple Alliance's decision to strike at midnight on Tuesday instead of Sunday is regarded as a triumph for the moderates, allowing four days in which to re-open negotiations. Both the railwavmen's ■ and the transport workers' 'executive's are reluctant to call a strike. ~',.-, . _ Mr C. T. Cramp, industrial secretary of the National Union of Railwaymen, states that a deputation of railwaymen and transport workers will see Mr Lloyd George at ten o'clock to-morrow, in order to convey to him their decision regarding the strike. He says the Triple Alliance is strongly of the opinion that should be reopened without conditions. 2,000,000 WORKERS AFFECTED. DEMAND FOB A BALLOT. EXTREMIST TACTICS CONDEMNED (Received April 10th, 5.5 p.m.) _ LONDON, April S.

The' Triple Alliance's strike decision affects 2,060,000 workers, who have not been consulted by ballot or any otherl method. It is becoming increasingly evident there is a big body of opinion among the workers which, resents tins procedure, though only small part is as yet able to give voice to that opinion. Six hundred members of the staff at Lime street station, Liverpool, tebgraphed to Mr J. H. Thomas denouncing the strike, and saying that the wholething was a Bolshevistic movo to hring about a revolution. The staff demanded a ballot, adding: "We will not strike. Tho railwaymen's lodges in tJlie Alfredton district adopted a resolution against a strike in support of the miners until a ballot had been taken. If the National Union of r ßailwayme)i will not do this, then, the resolution declares, the district railwaymeh will take a ballot. The Lime Street men's telegram to Mr Thomas declared that the "so-called mass meetings 'held on Sunday in favour of a strike were an absolute farce. They were packed with outsiders. Out of 17,800 railwaymen in the Liverpool district only 400 attended, and halt of these left in disgust owing to th.3 Bolshevist attitude of the sneakers. As British working men, we urge the Federation to take a. stand against the extremists." The directors of tihe Great Western Railway have circularised their staff stating there is no truth in the reports that in August, when the railways .will be do-controlled, an attempt will be made to revert to pre-war rates of wages. They also remind tho staff that then- conditions or service provide they shall give seven or twenty-eight days notice, according to the_ terms of their agreements, before ceasing work. THE COAL STRIKE PREMIER AND MINERS' FEDERATION. N DEBATE IN HOUSE OP COMMONS. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) LONDON, April 7 (delayed). Mr Lloyd George, in the House of Commons, announced the failure of tin conference. The Government, he said, were relying on the assistance of tho great mass of the .people, and must take over the means and power to meet the situation. Tho Miners' Federation had declined to resume work until two fundamental principles were conceded, namely, a national wage, and a national pool. He therefore toldVhe miners that it would be impossible for the Government to ask the parties to meet with any hope of settlement. He frankly admitted that he was taken aback by the attitude of Messrs bmitlti and Hodges. At a late hour Mr Lloyd George made a further effort to reopen negotiations. In a speech on the motion tor adjournment m the House of Commons, he said that the Government's position was that the question of pumpm<r in. and the safety of, tlho mines must be considered before any other : question. The Government had no ob- I

jection' to summoning a conference at any time to discuss it, provided it was clear that the question of pumping would bo disposed of before any other business was entered upon. The Premier added that discussions would bo impossible with large bodies, as was the case in previous discissions. Ho suggested a few representatives from eac% side.

Mr Artlhur Henderson (Labour) "Widnes), in Mr J. H. Thomas's absence, remarked that the Premier's proposal for discussing the safety of the mines first' was very different from his earlier demand that the safety men should return before discussions began. He suggested that the Premier should place a written proposal before Uhe Miners' Federation on Friday morning. Replying to Mr Arthur Henderson, the Premier said that it would be a great mistake to appeal further until the miners realised that they were insisting on preliminary conditions that made a conference impossible. As the position was, even if the owners and miners met this morning, the pumpmen would not be allowed to resiime without the two fundamental conditions being submitted. Mr D. Graham (Labour, Lanark) and Mr S. Finney (Labour, Burslem) asserted that the miners were willing to hold an immediate conference with the owners without conditions. Mr W. Lunn (Labour, Rothwell) said he believed that if the parties wero brought together the men would he back in the mines on Monday. Mr Asquith (Liberal, Paisley) said that hitherto in strikes the miners had preserved the mines as a common asset. He appealed to the executive of the Miners' Federation to reconsider their decision not to savo the mines until they had had conceded in their favour two most thornv questions. If they did so ho was sanguine of a settlement.

Mr Austen Chamberlain (Co.-TJnionist, l ßVjrmi'n£.liam, and Leader of the House), asked leave to withdraw his motion for tho adjournment, as tho Government could add nothing to what had already been said, and it was desirable to proceed to other business. The debate, however, dragged on. After Mr Arthur Henderson (Labour), Sir Robert Home (President of the Board of Trade), and Mr J. H. Thomaß (Labour, Derby, and general secretary of' the Railwavmen's .Union) had spoken, Mr G. H. Roberts (Labour, Norwich) said that hitherto the bettorminded and more far-seeing members of the Miners' Federation had been able to check the element which favoured sabotage. Unless they Could check it now the whole character of the Labour movement would be changed. Tile motion was withdrawn, and tho House proceeded to other business. NEGOTIATIONSTO RESUME. . A CONFERENCE ARRANGED. i) (Received April 11th, 12.10 a.m.) LONDON, April 9. . It is officially announced that the Government has arranged for the Miners' Federation to meet the caal-owner,s on Monday to resume negotiations. SAFETY OfThE MINES. GOVERNMENT'S PARAMOUNT DUTY. LONDON, April 8. With a view reopening negotiations, Mr Lloyd George has announced his readiness to discuss the drainage of the mines provided the miners agree to settle that before other questions. Mr Lloyd George in the Hou3o of ComVons said it was clear that the miners had decided to give the mines over to destruction, and it. was the »iOvernment's duty as the nation's trustee to prevent a catastrophe. For the \firsttiihe 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 them. Continuing, Mr ' Lloyd George said the police force was inadequate for the task and therefore he appealed to patriotic citizens to enrol as volunMr J. R. Clynes (Labour, Manchester) said the damage to the mines in the majoritv of cases was comparatively small. It was dear that if conditions had not been laid down, a conference could havo taken place early initUp week, and the dispute, perhaps, settled. He did' not q«estion the elaborate precautions taken, but urged the Premier to remove the only obstacle to a confcrotiCG Following a meeting of the Miners* Federation, the secretary, Mr Hodges, issued a statement, declaring that the Federation had always been ready to meet the owners with Government representatives present. Tho Federation was a national one. and it must be clearly understood that it would press for a national wage and pool. Mr J. H. Thomas issued a 'statement that tho National Union of Railwaymen had unanimously decided that the minors were justified in refusing the conditions, offered. The union felt that their acceptance would be tho beginning of a general attack on working, class conditions, and an attempt to reinstate tho pre-war standard. Tho union had therefore called for an immediate consultation with the transportworkers. . ',,'-, Mr Lloyd George has addressed a further letter to the Miners' Federation, in which ho says. "In view of the grave consequences involved, it is difficult to understand how any discussion designed to promote a settlement can usefully proceed unless Ave all agree that tho first task should bo to secure the preservation and the safety of the mines, without which there must bo widespoad aud continued unemployment and distress. The Government's attitude is dictated solely by a desiro to remove the main obstacle that stands in the way of fruitful negotiations. Tho destruction of the mines will be as fatal to the nation as defeat in war. To Recure their safety must be the para-j mount duty of the Government.' j Mr Lloyd George, in reply to a letter from the Miners' Federation, stating that they desire that they shall be left free to disou&3 every aspect of the situation with the owners, said he had never suggested that any limitations should be imposed, but the preservation of the mines was a paramount national interest, and must be first discussed and dealt with. He again invited the miners to meet the owners. It is understood that the miners have refused to accept these conditions, and are now conferring with + he Railway Union's Executive in reference to strike arrangements. SERIOUS DAMAGE TO MINES. INTIMIDATION IN SCOTLAND AND WALES. LONDON, April 7 (delayed). Reports from all parts of the country 6how that the younger miners are bent on dragooning the officials and the volunteers into abandoning the mines, thus forcing th,e withdrawal of all labour. * In the Upper Rhondda Valley processions of a thousand or mure miners, many wearing red ribbons, headed by bands, went to various pitheads and insisted on the withdrawal of pumpmen. The irony of the situation is that the local executive of the Miners' Federation on Monday unanimously decided that the men must continue to tend the pumps, as their withdrawal had never been considered by the local lodges. Other big demonstrations in the Swansea Valley were only partially successful in getting out the safety men. A demonstration by 5000 miners at PontvDridd forced the Dumpers at

the Wattstown Colliery to abandon work. Eight thousand gallons of water an huut h pouring into the* mine. There were similar results at the Swanwick collieries, Alfredton, but officials are keeping up pumping in the West Monmouth valley's. Students and other volunteers have been withdrawn from all the Lanarkshire pita, and the mines have been left to their fate. In one case miners destroved a turbine pump costing £IO,OOO. Crowds of strikers, accompanied bv women and children, visited the pitheads in the Midlothian area, and forced the pumpers to stop. At the Kinneil collieries, in Linlithgowshire, hand bombs were exploded, :n order to scare the volunteers, but no material damage was done. (Received April 10th, 6.5 p.m.) LONDON, April 8. The Northumberland collieries continue in, good condition. Pumping continues throughout Derbyshire. The Rev. Mr Moll, vicar of Newcas-tle-on-Tyne, urged the miners to stand firm. A Scottish colliery expert says that within a week 80 per cent, of the Scottish nits will be unworkable, and will require colossal expenditure for repairs, which the owners will be unable to undertake unaided. The steam cod from the Fifeshire collieries, from which the warships at Rosyth are supplied, Will not bo available for months. While the Welsh and Scottish miners continue the intimidation of pumpmen, there is little interference with the colliery officials and volunteers who are keeping the English pits dry. The pumps are still working in most.of the mines in Lancashire, Yorkshire, Derbyshire, Northumberland, Durham, and Warwickshire. Peter Chambers, a miners.' agent hi Midlothian, and two miners Were arrested and charged with riotous behaviour at certain collieries, PROTECTING THE COMMUNITY. ORGANISATION OP TOOB SUPPLIES. LONDON, April 7 (delayed). The prospects of a settlement are very black. It is understood that the Triple Alliance has decided that if the deadlock, continues all its members will down tools on Sunday at midnight. The- Government will now press forward with the utmost expedition their plans for protecting the community I from the evils following the flooding of the mines, which will vastly increase unemployment when the coal strike is settled. Even if the transport workera and railwaymen (strike, the Ministry of Transport is confident of ensuring that food will be supplied to the community with the help of volunteers. Practically all who volunteered in the railway strike of 1919 will be available. Thousands of vehicles will be impressed for carrying food from the warehouses and docks, the Army Service Corps being the basis of the scheme if necessary. The Government to-night indignantly deny widely circulated allegations that they are engaged in ft general attack on They describe tho charge as monstrous. The Government and community alike are desirous thaij every industry should pay the best sible. " . ~ , t It is rumoured that in the event of •Labour downing tools the Government will close all licensed houses m the, large industrial areas until tho dispute is ended. ',.«.». v (Received April 10th, 6.5 p.m.) LONDON April 8. In a supplement to the "London Gazette," a series of proclamations are published calling up soldierß, sailors, and the air force for Bervice, including those entitled to be transferred to the TQSQTV&. The Army Reßerve numbers 62.000, the Air Force Reserve 6000, and the Naval Reserve 36,000. None will be employed as strike breakers. Airships will supplement the motor lorries in carrying* foodstuffs for inland towns, I arid aeroplanes will* become mailI carriers. _ . ~ ... The Board of Trade annonnoefl that in the event of a transport strike, it will take over the whole of London's milk supply. NO UNEMPLOYMENT PAY. MINERS' APPEAL PAILS. (Received April 10*, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, April 8. | The Miners' Federation appealed against the decision refusing unemployment' pay to the miners during the present stoppage of work. Sir John Simon, on behalf of the Federation, argued that the miners were unable to obtain suitable employment in that the only offer mode to them was at a lower rate of pay than they had habitually obtained in their districts. Sir Gordon Hewart, K. 0., AttorneyGeneral, on behalf of the Ministry of Labour, contended that no one except for controversial purposes, Could doubt that tjhe dispute regarding wages was the cause of stoppage of work. Clearly this was a trade dispute. The Court disallowed, the Federation's claim. A CANADIANEESOLTJTION. (Received April 10th, 5.5 p.m.) OTTAWA, April 8. The executive of the Canadian Federation of Trades and Labour Councils passed a resolution requesting the American Federation of Labour to urge the united mine workers to refuse to mine coal foj? export to England, or for the use of English ships during the •strike.