“ON EDGE OF PRECIPICE”

Dominion, Volume 19, Issue 157, 30 March 1926, Page 7

“ON EDGE OF PRECIPICE”

MOMENTOUS WEEK IN COM CRISIS WORKERS DETERMINED TO RESIST WAGES CUT Important developments in the British coal crisis are Expected this week. “We stand on the edge of a precipice,” declares the Home Secretary. It is being indicated by Labour speakers that the miners are determined to resist any reduction in wages. By Telbgbafh.—PrSbs Association, copybight.

(Rec. March 29, 7.45 p.m.) . . London, March 29. - A momentous week in connection with the coal crisis has been ushered in, a series of speeches by Labour leaders indicating the trend of trade union Opinion. The Labour victory in the Bothwell by-election is claimed as evidence that the workers are determined to resist a cut in wages.

Mr. I. Sullivan (the successful candidate), interviewed, says that other workers rallied to Labour, realising that a reduction of the miners’ pay would be a signal to employers to reduce wages in other trades. Mr. A. J. Cook (Miners’ Federation secretary) , speaking at Abertridwr, said that means must be found to assist the industry outside a reduction in wages, longer "hours, and district agreements. “We cannot pay the price of sacrifice

any : longer,!’ he said. “We are going to clear out the royalty owners without compensation, I hope.” Mr. J ; 11. Thomas, the railway workers’ representative, speaking at Dunfermline, said that the test of success in trade union leadership was not to bring people out on strike nor promise them' the moon when they could - not even be given bread and cheese. When there were signs of a trade improvement the coal crisis had arisen. _ Low and scandalous as were the miners’ wages, the fact stood out that a great uninber of pits were producing coal at an uneconomic price. A good sign Was that both sides were desirous of finding a settlement

The Home Secretary, Sir William Joynson Hicks, said: "We stand on the edge of a precipice. It depends on the employers and the employed whether there is a trade revival or whether we have a strike or lock-out which will destroy the hope of revival, possibl}’ for years.”—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.