PERIL TO NATION

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 3 June 1926, Page 5

PERIL TO NATION

MINING DEADLOCK.

GOVERNMENT URGED TO ACT.

ME. BALDWIN’S REPLY

BT CABLE—PBES3 ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT.

LONDON, June I

A debate on the coal crisis was initiated in the House of Commons by Mr. Ramsay MacDonaicl, who emphasised that the situation was fraught with grave national peril, and the House of Commons must endeavour to make some practical contribution to its solution. He criticised the Government’s handling of the crisis, especially the withdrawal of the subsidy, as lie declared that money -must be found to put the coal industry on its legs. The problem which future Governments would have to face would be that the- only complete form of co-ordination of the coal pits was nationalisation. Mr. Lloyd George urged the Government to introduce forthwith legislation for the reconstruction of the coal industry. The Prime Minister, Mr. Baldwin, said lie was willing to resume negotiations at any moment, but he was unwilling to pledge the taxpayers’ money indefinitely to support this one industry, nor would he be forced by a stoppage to take political control of the mines. In whatever settlement was ultimately reached, probably some Government assistance would be neces\ sary, and the Government was prepared to afford that, but pending a settlement he was unable to say what the form or amount of that- assistance would he. No Government could compel a settlement, but the moment there was the first glimmer of a temper for negotiation the Government would do its best to assuage differences and asperities, see fair play, and would also undertake to carry out any necessary legislation. Primarily the future depended on the statesmanship of the two parties to the dispute, for no force imposed on reluctant men could bring lasting peace. Mr. Philip Snowden said he had never listened! to a speech with such hopelessness and despair as when he heard that of the Prime Minister, and expressed' the opinion that the only solution of the deadlock was action by the Government itself. The Labour amendment to reduce the Ministry of Mines vote, on which the debate arose, was defeated bv 252 votes to 108. INTO PEACE MOVES.

RUMOURS DENIED

LONDON, .Tunc 1. Mr. A. J. Cook (Secretary to the Miners’ Federation) discredits the rumoured peace move, so far as the miners are concerned. CURTAILMENT OF RACING. LONDON, June 1. The Daily Telegraph states that unless the coai strike is settled the Ascot meeting is unlikely to take place. It is even possible that all racing will stop earlier than that. It is understood that the Government proposes to place an embargo on all petrol. EFFORTS OF MINERS. j DIRECTED TO STOP COAL IMPORTATION. STRIKE* STRANGLING INDUSTRY. Received 10.30 a.m to-day. LONDON, June 2. The Daily Herald quotes Mr. Cook (miners’ secretary) in its denial of the statement that the miners’ leaders have had any communication with the Government since May 22. It is explained that the presence of the miners’ leaders- in London was connected with thwarting the attempts now being made to import foreign coal. Mr. Cook in a statement said: “I hope to get the co-operation of the transporters here and abroad to stop the flood of foreign coal.” The Herald says : “The strike is slowly strangling industry.. Fifty thousand are still idle in the Black Country. Sheffield is hard hit. Forty thousand workers are on the dole and nearly 20,000 have been thrown ont of employment by the shortage of coal. • Ahs.-N.Z. Cable Assn.