PREPARING FOR THE STRIKE

Evening Post, Volume CI, Issue 90, 16 April 1921, Page 5

PREPARING FOR THE STRIKE

GOVERNMENTS PLANS BEING PUT

IN OEDER.

LONDON, Mth April. Thus far the Government has not disclosed its plan of campaign, preferring to await the beginning of the strike and give every opportunity for a peace move. Already it is evident that the machinery for feeding the country is getting into order. In addition to Kensington Gardens and Regent's Park, the Government has taken over Hyde Park, and is erecting tents and hutments. The Marble Arch will bo devoted to a milk camp. Great convoys of Government lorries are gathering in the parks, and these will be further increased by the J^test Government proclamation commandeering" all horse and motor vehicles and drivers. Volunteers in large numbers, incliiSing many women driving their own cars, are offering their services. London taxicabs will continue to ply, but the union advises members that they mnst only carry passengers, not merchandise. The problem of feeding the country must be solved by improvised methods of distribution, as no return to compulsory rationing is possible, the Departmental machinery no longer existing. The Government is doing its best to cut down the public consumption of coaL It is announced to-day that it will be impossible to obtain any coal for domestic use without a permit signed by the local authority. In any case, a householder is only allowed half a hundredweight -weeklyj In order to assist the local authorities in their work, Mr. Lloyd George has arranged that a member of the Government shall proceed as a civil commissioner to* each district into which England and Wales has been divided under the emergency scheme. Thus\ the Eari of Lytton controls the north-i Western district, with headquarters at Preston. .The Solicitor-General for-Scot-land has charge of the staff in Scotland. I