TRADE UNION MOVEMENT

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 104, 3 May 1926, Page 9

TRADE UNION MOVEMENT

STANDS BEHIND MINERS.

fAustralian-New Zealand Cablo Assn.) LONDON, Ist May.

The whole trade union movement is behind the miners, who threaten to call a general strike to their support, thus affecting five million workers, in addition to over a million miners, but it is considered possible that this weapon will be withheld at present and will only operate gradually if the coal stoppage is prolonged. The "Daily Express" says the total war chest of the Miners' Federation does not exceed four millions, but credit can be, obtained through other unions. It is reported that Mr. Baldwin yesterday said: "I am quite sure 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. The hope that all would emerge from the struggle with credit is gone, and we perhaps are a bit ashamed of ourselves." PARTIES PREPARED FOR FRAY. Never has a strike occurred when all the parties were 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, transport, coal distribution, and Post Office communications, gas, and electricity. The railway companies have been storing ocal for mouths past. It is estimated that they possess several months' supply. There are also ten or twelve million tons of coal lying at tho pits' mouth or in "course of transit. A census of commercial vehicles show that over 200,000 are at the Government's disposal.