A CHALLENGE.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 18682, 4 May 1926, Page 9

A CHALLENGE.

REASON FOR BREAKDOWN. GOVERNMENT'S DEMANDS. (austbaliax and jt.z. cable association.) (Received May 3rd, 7.30 p.m.) LONDON, May 3. A statement giving reasons for the breakdown, declares that overt • acts have already occurred, including Interference with the freedom of the Press, Involving a challenge to the Nation's constitutional rights. Before a continuance of the negotiations, the Government demands that the Trades Union Congress repudiates those actions immediately, and unconditionally withdraws instructions for the general strike. BANNED LEADER. PRINTERS* DEMAND REFUSED. (AUSTEALIAK AKD !T.Z. CABLE association.) (Received May 3rd, 7.30 p.m.) LONDON, May 3. The "Daily Mail's" tabooed leader was entitled "For King and Country." The Society of Operative Printers demanded that it should be altered, but the editor refused to comply. Several unions, including the compositors, process workers, and telegraphists, decided that it was not within their province to discuss the newspaper's policy, and resolved to carry on, but the printers' machinists, stereotypers, and packers ceased work. The article pointed out that the general strike was not an industrial dispute but a revolutionary movement intended to inflict suffering on a great mass of innocent persons, thereby pul>ting forcible constraint upon the Government. Such a movement could not be tolerated by a civilised Government.

DOMESTIC MENACE. A PLEA FOR REASON. ("THE TIMES.") (Received May 3rd, 7.30 p.m.) LONDON, May 3. The London "Times," in a leader, says: "Unless reason prevails the country is faced with the gravest domestic menace since the fall of the Stuarts. It is incredible that the leaders have really considered the nature and consequences of the strike, otherwise they would not support so manifestly disastrous a step. "They claim to speak on behalf of 3,600,000, but admittedly only a fraction has been consulted on the issue. The leaders arrogate to themselves the right to inflict incalculable injury on the entire nation and the Empire. It will be a ruinous blow to the revival of British credit, bringing loas and poverty on innocent millions. "The leaders sincerely state that they are not declaring war on the people, but this assertion will not stand the test of facts." EMPIRE SHOPPING WEEK. INTERFERED WITH BY STRIKE. (Sxdsbx ."Sun" Sebvice.) (Received May 3rd, 7.30 p.m.) LONDON, May 3. The coal crisis unfortunately coincides with the All British Shopping Week, opening on May 3rd. Hundreds of shops throughout England are specialising in Empire products, including 10J miles of shop windows in London which are specially dressed. The organisers, nevertheless, are of the opinion that everyone will do hi 3 best to support tho venture.

STRIKERS' REPLY. GOVERNMENT STATEMENTS REFUTED. . (hEBTHB's T1L10BAH8.) (Received May 3rd, 11.30 p.m.) LONDON, May 3. The General Council of the Trades Union Congress has sent a letter to Mr Stanley Baldwin, expressing surprise and regret at the Government's decision to terminate the discussion, declaring that the public will judge the nature of the Government's intention by its precipitate, calamitous decision, -and deploring the fact that the sincere work in which the Council had been engaged to obtain an honourable settlement has been wrecked by the Government's ultimatum. The Trades Union Congross, criticising tho Government's first reason for breaking off negotiations, namely that of the specific instructions sorit to the trade unionists of several industries and services to cease work, says that it is not unusual for workmen to cease work in defence of their interests as wage earners, and the specific reason of the decision in this case was to secure for the workers the same right as the employers insist upon witli their workers, namely, that negotiations shall be conducted free from an atmosphere of strike or lock-out. The Council disclaims any knowledge of overt acts, including interference with the liberty cf the Press, and says that the decisions of the Council definitely forbid any such independent unauthorised action. It regrets it has not been given an opportunity of investigation and of dealing with the alleged incidents, before the Government made them an excuse for breaking the peace discussions.