GENERAL STRIKE.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 18681, 3 May 1926, Page 7

GENERAL STRIKE.

Upheaval in Britain. miners cease work. All Unionists Pledge Support. gltfG READS EMERGENCY PROCLAMATION. Though long feared, the industrial upheaval in Britain brought about by the coalminers' decision to strike has come as something of a shock. It was hoped that eleventh- « lour negotiations would result in a settlement of the coal position, but these have definitely failed. Perhaps more important than the actual coal crisis itself is the decision of the Trades Union Congress to de- ; • dare a general strike in support of the miners. Over 5,000,000 workers are affected, and both sides are well pre- - - pared. The King has proclaimed that a state of emergency exists, and preparations have been made to carry on essential services. Troops have been dispatched to Wales, gqofland, and Lancashire.

, sw® COMMENCES. NEGOTIATIONS BREAK DOWN. j : AXD X.z. CABLE ASSOCIATION.) (jfUeeired May 2nd, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, May 1. • atrik© has begun. jjj /ejecting the owners' offer, the diners said they regretted that, though .£oal Commission's report was <■* on March 6th, the owners had t' jjj/'jjnbmittcd a proposal at as late \ i (Ute as April 30th, at 1.15 o'clook in when two-thirds of the workers wero already Jocked out. that soven hours were suf- ' fciaiit in which to supply all the coal Hiarwhich a market could do found, also ■a jf]Jte' as a man should pursue a danr'.ftm and arduous calling. | 4 JJW. Trades Union delegates, after > At H. Thomas and other V ' in the early mornvho was pale and tired, that never had a /|<£££aoi»t made such a blunder. He ns|Hprsjw faofc that the first definite proposal was only /'ffintad yesbeniay afternoon, though wlw 'Many eight months since the was constituted. < MM t' ' '

No Redaction. The miners replied that they were not prepared to accept a reduction of wages as a preliminary to the reorganisation of the industry, hut were prepared fully to consider all the difficulties of the industry when the Government initiated its schemes of reorganisation. The Government finally offered, if the miners would accept the report of •the Royal Commission, including the wages recommendations, to establish an Advisory Committee, on which the miners and owners would be represented, to advise the Minister for Mineß as to the reorganisation of the industry. l'he miners' leader, in reply, made it clear that he would not aooept any reduction of wages, so negotiations terminated at 11.30 a.m. The King arrived from Windsor and attended a sitting of the Privy Council at Buckingham Palace. A demonstration of women unionists took place at the Albert Hall, at whicih Sir Austen Chamberlain delivered a speech on the foreign position and the coal situation. The meeting dosed with tho audience standing in silent prayer for several minutes, and lie organ played the National Anthem.

Preparations for Conflict. The Ministry of Health has circularised the local authorities stating that, in the event of a national coal stoppage, the Government would consider it necessary that part of the organisation already arranged to cope with an emergency should be set in readiness to operate accordingly. The Ministry transmits a list of civil commissioners and divisional staffs which will be established on the issue of the proclamation under the emergency powers of the different. Acts should the Government deem such a proclamation necessary in the national interests. The circular adds: "If the stoppage is confined to the coal industry, it is hoped it will not be necessary to expand this emergency organisation extensively or call on recruits to assist in maintaining essential services, but in the event of a stoppage cf other industries affecting such services, it is hoped that the local authorities will co-operate to the fulle3t with the Volunteer Service Committees.

Tgg CONFERENCES. '»! HOIJSAN?>S AWAIT DECISION. i',«» f i ■ r " / fuom'ft XKJMHUIfS.) j" (Rtqwrtd May 2nd, 5.5 p.m.) 41 v > LONDON, May 1. 411 H» ooal situation was critical all long. t J f Baldwin asked the miners W'4t his room at the House of ' soDjpon§ at 10.30 x q'clock in the morn'Tbtp were sfill awaiting him JfthttA'ajj noon, he being still engaged . Streßt negotiating with ; Coal Owners' Committee, whose re-tained-offer is understood to be based eight-hours' day at a slightly MwuHdifle, a hurriedly convened of t}ie Qeneyal Council of the 'ff Jradei lJ'nion Congress intensified the ,of dramatic developments. p ßioeting lasted for an hour, and sWsfW(:fi of Affiliated Unions as- ' awaiting the outcome of the ( r'W&v«sations between Mr Baldwin and 9t the House of Commons. - -

RAY OF HOPE. GENERAL STRIKE MAY BE AVERTED. (bzcik&'S tslsgbaxs.) (Received May 2nd, 11.5 p.m.) LONDON, May 2. There is a possibility of an important development in thd crisis. Last evening, on the invitation of the Prime Minister, the Trade Union Congress Negotiations Committee lengthily conferred with Mr Baldwin and members of Cabinet. * It is understood that during the course of the meeting the Trade Union Congress representatives stated that if negotiations were resumed immediately there was a prospect that when the general strike was due to begin at midnight on Monday, the threat would not be carried out. The Congress representatives, it is understood, contend that owing to the lateness of the owners' offer, which was presented to them on Friday evening, there was no time for real negotiations based on them.

< No Statement in Commons. ,a\lt was expected that a statement Ip'wld be macje in the House of ComHouso ftdjoqroed without a state Mr Baldwin having the/ : JWgers considering the that a general strike was WM strengthened 7 when it 'announced thp,t the gaRS?* *H& the revised offer ! e ®?»ed that a special Cahh|d been, summoned late ftfterfiQow, arrangements being jnacje to bring the whole |j||||jrf lu i n ®rs" delegates and the execnof 200 unions affiliated with the JPrades Union Qqrjgress together.

Reaspn for Breakdown. J fe» < ® Qtiationß k r °k® down because the ||?K««rs finally refused to accept tho »»« at the 1921 rate before of the industry was Tte owners offered a uni"agonal minimum wage of 20 over the standard, namely, percentage as in the 1921 setIjrL. 11 * offer was made on the eight-hour day, because jK nnon n* held that, in view of °f the exporting disfo, V- 11 wou ! d otherwise be impossible fweptable uniform national fpwun. G ?, Ver y noat , in conveying this iiLefr 4V. 6 ®^ es Unionists, gupraniOffiftn < f Try,ns ° ut of th * Royal 8 ?e ?? Satl ° n P r °P°WlMMTrade Unionists replied expressfe^hojfDesa,to co-operate with the J" inat ' tut »'g such rebut deelaripg that until had brought the Eraater prosperity, the i not wiled upon to ««iy,of their present inade®j£' o W condit ions. «J» Qyernment then enquired Mfe/'f, T owners suspended the n""" 6 " WOuld accept the Coromisi i i reorganisation BSlfliwTavS? ®^ nerß should con* of wages in the

WAR-TIME LONDON AGAIN. USE OF COAL AND LIGHT RESTRICTED. (REUIER'S TSXJCGBAItS.) (Received May 2nd, 11.30 p.m.) J LONDON, May 2. Hie Deputy Chief Civil Commissioner has issued restrictions regarding the supplies of coal to private houses, mid industrial business, and prohibiting the use of Tights for display and advertisement. He also enjoins the strictest economy in gas and electricity. Contravention of the directions is. punishable with imprisonment or a fine. OWNERS' OFFER REJECTED. (BEDTEb'B TELIGBAJia.) LONDON, April 30. The miners have rejected the owners'

LABOUR WEAPON. GENERAL STRIKE THREAf. KING'S PROCLAMATION. (bt cable—rassa assooawok—corcaiGHi.) (avsteauax axd it.z. cable association.) (Received May 2nd, 5.5 p.au) LONDON, May 1. The Trade Union Conference has declared in favour of a general stride at midnight on Monday. The Conference intends to make volunteer arrangements to feed the people. Following this decision, tiie King has proclaimed that a state of emergency exists. The whole trade union movement is behind the miners, who threaten to call a general strike to their support, thus affecting 5,000,000 workers, in addition to over 1,000,000 miners, but it is considered possible that this weapon will be withheld at present, and will only operate gradually if tho coal stoppage is prolonged. The "Daily Express" says the total war chest of the Miners' Federation does not exceed £4,000,000, but credit can be obtained through ofch,er Unions. It is reported that Mr Stanley Baldwin, in a statement yesterday, said: "I am quite sure that if we fail to agree we shall all be heavily blamed by the country. There are times when a movement of this kind is favoured, but I do not believe such a feeling exists to-day. I hoped that all would emerge from the struggle with credit. This hope is gone, and we perhaps are a bit ashamed of ourselves." j

All the Parties Prepared. Never has a strike occurred when all parties have been so prepared for all eventualities. The Government plans are cut and dried, and are beginning to operate. The country has been divided into ten areas, each controlled by a civil Commissioner, who has drastic powers to make decisions concerning food supplies, the transport, coal distribution, and Post Office communications. Gas, electricity, and the railway companies have been storing coal for months past. It is estimated that they possess several months' supply. There is also from 10,000,000 to 12,000,000 tons of coal lying at the pits' month or in the course of transit. A census of commercial vehicles shows that over 200,000 are at the Government's disposal.

"DECLARATION OF WAR." TROOPS FOR MINING CENTRES. (BBUTEB'S TJSLEGBAJCB.) (Received May 2nd, 5.5 p.mi) LONDON, May 1. The Government as a precautionary measure has moved detachments of troops into South Wales, Lancashire, and Scotland. A memorandum issued by the Trade Union Congress says that the trades involved in the strike call include all forms of transport, printing trades, including the Press, iron, steel, chemicals, and the building works, except those employed on housing or hospital work, electricity, and gas, but sanitary services will be continued. There will be no interference with health or food services. Labour Memorandum. The memorandum prescribes regulations for trade union discipline, and declares that any found inciting workers 1 to riot must be dealt with immediately. The chairman of the Trades' Union < Conference said that trade unionists were fully supporting the Council's policy. They numbered 3,653,527, and 1 those who voted against the policy were > 49,911. 1

Vital Trades to Bear Brunt. < Mr Bevin expressed the Council's appreciation of the proposals for action which were not submitted until the Emergency Powers Act was signed, "We did not declare war on the community, '' he said. "War was declared by the Government. We are selecting certain vital trades to bear the first brunt of the eontest. There must be no argument, as to who shall remain in, and who shall come out. Xou must take and obey orders. Any members who are told to operate voluntary ser- 1 vices must not be interfered with." t Mr Ramsay Mac Donald said that the 11 Government had decided to fight the people's standard of living. He be- c lieved they would have got peace last evening. The decision of the Government to break off negotiations was a crime against society. It was an un- g necessnrv, wicked, and criminal fight. The whole question would be raised in the House of Commons on Monday. ( ] They were standing by the miners, but were still hoping that something would happen before then to enable tho workers to continue work. e t:

GOVERNMENT'S LAST OFFER. (REUTEB'S TELEGRAMS.) y (Received May 2nd, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, May 1. <i Correspondence between the Prime Minister and tho miners yesterday shows that in submitting the owners' offer Mr Baldwin reiterated the promise made on the previous day that the r « existing seven-hour day would remain jj on the Statute Book, and that only temporary legislation would be used to provide additional hours, also that the si Government would establish a Couimission not later than December 31st, lis 1929, to advise whether, as a result of reorganisation or better trade or both, g ( conditions of the coal industry had improved to such an extent as to justify [a reversion to the seven hours' day. q, The minors, in the course of their reply, \vi pointed out that the proposal to in- f" crease tho hours was contrary to the 1 fiudisgs of tho Commission* ' ali

RADIO TO BE USED. IN EVENT OF PRESS STRIKE. (iWfraiMAK AITO jnr. OABLS (Received May 2nd, 11.5 p.m.) LONDON, May 2. ## Kcep steady, and remember that peace on earth comes to men of goodwill," was a message which Mr Baldwin wirelessly broadcast to the nation last evening. The Prime Minister's use of this medium of communication is interesting in view of the reported intention of the Government to commandeer the British Broadcasting Company in the event of a closing down of the Press. Referring to this suggested possibility, an official statement issued at the close of a long sitting of the Trade Union Congress during the afternoon, sayß that the General Council of the Congress is arranging direct communication with the officers of trade unions, to whom all authoritative reports and announcements will be made direct. It warns trade unionists to take no notice of any statement thai may be broadcast wirelessly or circulated in any other form.

CONFERENCE OF UNIONS. EMBARGO ON GOAL HANDLING. (REUTER'S TTLEGBAUS.) (Received May 2nd, 11.5 p.m.) LONDON, May 1. The conference of executives of the unions affiliated to the Trade , Union Congress met in London secretly to discuss a policy to support the miners. A resolution submitted provides an embargo on handling coal, especially imported coal, at the docks, but does not contemplate a general strike at this stage. The delegates fcelieved that negotiations would be reopened. The miners' delegates previously sat and decided to leave the conduct of matters in the hands of the Council of the Trade Union Congress. Reports from the coalfields indicate 1 that there is a general cessation of work. Everything ■is orderly, and the miners are gloomy but determined. Orders were received at the Soutji Wales ports to suspend the export of coal, and ships which have already sailed have been ordered by wireless to return. This ,is an indication that all the coal .in the country is under the control of the Government. Tho Trade Unions offer, to maintain : the distribution of essential foodstuffs.

, NEGOTIATIONS CONTINUE. (RIUTSB'S lELESBiH3.) May 2nd, 11.85 p.mji) LONDON, May 2. The meeting between the Prime Minister and members of the trade unions adjourned at> 1.30 o'clock in the morning, after a fire hours' sitting. Mr J. H. Thomas, in an official announcement to the Press, did not rereal the subject matter of the discussions, but said the conference had been adjourned in the hope of further negotiations to-day. APPEAL FOR COMMON SENSE. (E-cceived May 2nd, 11.55 pan.) LONDON, May 2nd. Sir "W. Joynson-Hicks, Home Secretary, responding to a toast to the Ministry at the Academy banquet, appealed to the common sense and humanity of the people not to engage ia internecine strife, but if there 'was to be an economic dispute he hoped it ■would not widen its borders to a political dispute. The Government would . carry out, with unflinching determination, its obligations to preserve the life of the people and law and order. He believed it would have the assent and co-operation of all loyal men.