IF STRIKE COMES

Greymouth Evening Star, 21 January 1926, Page 5

IF STRIKE COMES

FOOD-RATIONING PROPOSALS.

COAL CRISIS EXPECTATIONS.

(Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (By Cable—Press Assn.—Copyright.)

(Recd. 10 a.m.) LONDON, January 20.

Labour is preparing rationing plans for adoption in the event of national emergency, due to the coal crisis. Mr Morrison, secretary of the London Labour Party, explgins that Labour is organising to assist in feeding the people in the event of an upheaval, and is co-operating with the trade unions, and also the municipal bodies.

Morrison said : “We feel strongly that_ it is the Government’s duty adequately to prepare to avoid industrial dislocation. If a Labour Government were in power, it would safeguard essential services by co-operat-ing with the Trade Unions Congress, therefore we are in duty bound similarly to assist the present Government, provided, firstly, that the Government’s scheme does not make Labour’s plans impossible to operate; secondly, that we do not find ourselves engaged in strike-breaking. Anyway, we will not idly watch our people starve.” The “Standard” says that the Government has disclosed plans for action in the event of a coal crisis. It is believed that immediately ParDiameflt reassembles, Mr Baldwin will propose the prolongation of a slightly modified subsidy.

FRENCH MINERS’ BALLOT.

PARIS, January 20.

The National Council of the Federation of French Mine Workers adopted a resolution declaring that unless wages were increased by January 31, to compensate for the increased cost of living, a referendum will be taken on the question of a general strike of the French miners.