TRAINS TO STOP.

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

TRAINS TO STOP.

ALSO BUSES AND TRAMS. MANY EMERGENCY MEASURES. (AUSTBALUX AOT X.Z. GABLB A*"*^" o^ (Received May 3rd, 11.30 p.m.) LONDON, May 3. Already the effects of the strike are showing. Three big ironworks at Motherwell and Glasgow are closed owing to the coal shortage, and others are following immediately. The British Advertising Convention was abandoned after a thousand delegates had gathered at Blackpool owing to fear of a railway disturbance. . It is understood that the railway employees cease work at the end of the Digit service this evening, and that trams and buses will not be worked on Tuesday. The Great Western railwav appealed to the employees asking them not to break their contracts by striking without notice. The "Daily Herald" (Labor) says: "In all newspaper offices the printers arc watching closely what is being said about the crisis." Hyde Park was closed at midnight for the purpose of assembling lorries in connexion with the distribution of milk. In the London area the price of milk has been increased by from 6d to Is 6d per gallon. If necessary use of road transport arrangements will be made to call up special constables. A battalion of the Cheshire Regiment arrived at Cardiff, but no troops will be moved to the coalfields unless emergency arises. The Atlantic Fleet, which is due to leave Portsmouth on Tuesday for summer exercises, is awaiting the Admiralty's orders. The newspapers generally point out that a general strike is not a new experiment. It has been tried, but has alwayß failed. They emphasise that four million trade unionists are arraying themselves against more than forty million of the general community.

HELP FOR MINERS. GERMAN WORKERS' PROPOSALS. (AUSIBAUAS AND N.Z. CABLI ASSOCIATION.) (Received May 3rd, 5.5 p.m.) BERLIN, May 2. Developments in the British coal dispute are being watched with interest, by German mineowners,who were recently suffering from British competition. They are pleased at the prospect of regaining their share of the world's coal trade wrested from them by the British mines. Leaders of the Socialist and Communist Parties are urging the German miners to do their utmost to help their British colleagues. They express the opinion that they will be able to prevent direct transport of coal from the Ruhr to Britain and are negotiating with the Dutch Labour Unions with a view to preventing German coal reaching Britain via Holland. Dr. Emile Schneider, Minister for Trade, told the Prussian Diet that the British coal subsidy had caused the squandering of coal below the selling cost, resulting in 38 Ruhr mines being closed, rendering tens of thousands idle. German mining, he added, must be saved from the results of the English subsidy. The "Ttaily Mail" interprets this declaration to mean that Germany is considering banning British imports in the event of continuance of the subsidy. Communists received the news of the British stoppage with cheers and carried a resolution in support of the. miners.

GOVERNMENT READINESS. FIRST PREPARATIONS MADE. (SrDSM "Svx" S3MVICB.) LONDON, May 2. Tha first stage of the Government's scheme for dealing with the emergency is now completed. All ten District Commissioners have arrived at thenposts throughout the country. It is omoially stated that food conditions are normal, and there is no need for publie anxiety or panic. The Trades Union Congress remained in session throughout the day, and conferred with the railwayman's leaders in regard to running food and milk trains, which they are prepared to carry on in the event of a stoppage.

FRENCH OPINION. INTERNATIONAL TROUBLE EXPECTED. ' (AUSTEALIAJf ASD K.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION.) PARIS, May 2. The Press regards the threatened general strike as the most formidable social struggle in Great Britain's history. It is recognised that there must be inevitable repercussions in France and other countries, in view of the international linking up of Labour forces. The Communist paper "Humanite" expresses the opinion that if British Labour forms a single front it must be taken as a signal of a renaissance and dawn of a victorious Labour offensive throughout Europe, but a compromise settlement will throw back the Continental Labour movement, causing the most painful period in post-war history.

SUNDAY CALM PREVAILS. IRECTES'S TELEOBAiIS.* LONDON, May 2.The usual Sunday calm prevailed to-day, varied by a succession of meetings of political and Labour leaders striving to effect a settlement. This morning a 90-minute Cabinet council was held, Meanwhilfl the General Ooondl of

the Trades Union Congress waa sitting at headquarters. That Labour negotiators have been summoned to Downing street is believed to indicate that a basis of negotiations has been found. WHAT AMERICA IS SAYING. (AUSTKALIAN AKD 3.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION.) (Received May 3rd. 10.35 p.m.) NEW YORK, May 2. Editorial opinion widely supports the attitude of the British Government and people in opposing the general strike. The "New York World" says: "In self-defence the community must turn to the side of the recognised authorities, and help by holding up their hands. The Union men whore their policy is deliberately destructive as against the community cannot help suffering deep wounds themselves." The "New York Times" says: "No Government could surrender and preserve, not merely its self respect, but its life. Mr Baldwin may be counted upon, if sane counsels prevail among the Labour Unions, to' stand firm for the right of the majority to rule, and the occasion will demonstrate again the ability of the English people to work out their own salvation in a time of stress and trouble." The Chicago "Tribuno" remarks: •'Moscow may think the turn is towards the Reds and Communism, and Mussolini will think it is towards Italian syndicalism with a Dictator. British labour is infected with the idea that cutting clown production is the proper policy to pursue against capital. The Boston'"Herald" says: "Everyone will lose. The miners' demands may be sound in theory, but their manner of enforcing them is disastrous."