MOMENTOUS WEEK IN COAL CRISIS

Manawatu Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 3308, 30 March 1926, Page 9

MOMENTOUS WEEK IN COAL CRISIS

LABOUR LEADERS’ UNCOMPROMISING TALK

Workers Cannot be Sacrificed Any Longer “WE STAND ON EDGE OF A PRECIPICE ” i [By Electric Cable —Copyright.] ’ [Aust. and N.Z. Cable Association.] (Received Monday 7.45 p.m) LONDON, March 23. A momentous week in the coal crisis was ushered in a scries of speeches, the Labour leaders indicating the trend of the Trade Union opinion. • The Labour victory at Eothwell la claimed as evidence that the workers arc determined to resist a cut in wages. Mr Sullivan on being interviewed, says: “Other workers have rallied to Labour, realising that a reduction for the miners would be the signal to employers to reduce wages in other trades.” Mr Jas. Cook, at Abertrldwr said: "Means must be found to assist the industry outside a reduction of wages, longer hours and district agreements. We cannot pay the price of sacrifice any longer. We are going to clear out the royalty owners, without compensation, I hope.” Mr J. H. Thomas, the railway representative, while speaking at Dunfermline, said that the test of tnc success of trade union leadership was not to bring people out on strike, nor to promise them the moon when it could not even give them bread and cheese. When there were signs of a trade improvement, the coal crisis has arisen. Low and scandalous as were the miners’ wages, the fact stood out that a great number of pits were producing coal at an uneconomic price. A good Sign was that both sides were desirous of finding a settlement. Sir W. Jbynson-Hlcks (Home Secretary), said: “We stand on the edge of a precipice. It depends on the employers and employed whether there Will be a trade revival, or whether a strike or lockout will destroy the hope of a revival, possibly for years.” POLL AS PULSE OF PUBLIC OPINION. PUBLIC OPPOSITION TO WAGES REDUCTION. (Received Monday, 7 p.m.) LONDON, March 28. The Labour victory at Bothwell is ascribed to a strong feeling against a reduction in the miners’ Wages, suggested by the Coal Commission report, as the constituency is a mining one. The Liberal candidate forfeited his deposit. The big drop in the Conservative poll la attributed to many Conservatives abstaining from voting, owing to Labour’s strength. The new member (Mr. I. Sullivan) once represented North Lanark.