GOVERNMENT ACTS

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 105, 4 May 1926, Page 7

GOVERNMENT ACTS

OFFICIAL DECLARATION

INTERFERENCE WITH FREEDOM

OF PRESS,

(Router's Telegram.)

LONDON, 3rd May.

An official statement issued from Downing Street at 1 o'clock this morning says the following decision of the Government has been conveyed to-night to Mr. Pugh, chairman of the Trades Union Congress Committee: — r The Government believes that no solution of the difficulties in the coal industry which would be both practicable and honourable to all concerned can be reached except by a sincere acceptance of the report of the Commission. In the expression "acceptance of the report" is included both the reorganisation of the industry, which should be put in hand immediately, and, pending the ' results of reorganisation being attained, such ah interim adjustment of wages or'hours of work as would make it economically possible to carry on the industry. In the meantime, if the miners or the Trade Union Committee on their behalf had been prepared to say plainly that they would accept this proposal, the Government would have been ready to resume negotiations and continue the subsidy for a fortnight, but since the discussions between the Ministers and the members of the trade union committee, it has come to the knowledge of the Government not only that specific instructions have been sent under the authority bf the executive of the trade unions represented at the Conference convened by the general council of the Trade Union Congress, asking their members in several of the most vital industries and services of the country to carry out a general strike on Tuesday next, but that overt acts have already occurred, including a gross interference with the freedom of the Press. Such action involves a challenge to the constitutional rights and freedom of the nation. The Government therefore, before it can continue the negotiations, must require from the trade union committee both a repudiation of the actions referred to that have already occurred, and an immediate and unconditional withdrawal of the instructions for a general, strike.