COAL DISPUTE.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 29 September 1926, Page 7

COAL DISPUTE.

DEBATE IN THE COMMONS. MR. MacDONALD INTERRUPTED* oi cable- press association —Com right LONDON, Sept. 28. . Continuing his speech in the House of Commons in the debate oil the coal strike, Mr. MacDonaid urgedi that the House should declare itself in favour of a national agreement, pass a. one clause Bill, declaring the E'.'.jli Hour Act .should not come into force exjeept on ail! appointed clay. This would knock two months off the duration of. the coal dispute. The miners had believed the Government would support a national settlement, but they now knew the Government would never coerce the owners. The Government had not played -a straight hand. Mr, MacDonald asked the Government if it was still working to smash up the national agreement by district breakaway and thus end the dispute As his speech progressed, Mr MacDonald was subjected to interruptions and contradictions from the Unionist benches, causing Labour members to angrily ask the chairman to call the Conservatives to order.

The debate was adjourned after speeches from Labour members placing the responsibility for the present state of affairs, on the owners, and .seeking information, regarding; the powers tobe given the .proposed tribunals. Mr A. J. Cook', secretary of the Miners’ Federation, spent the evening! at the House of Commons, where he h«d a- lengthy talk with Mr. Winston Churchill. The Pa hi amen tar v Labour Party decided to inform the Council of the Trade Union Congress that all its members were available throughout the country for a campaign in aid of the miners.