MARKING THE IN COAL STRIKE

Manawatu Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 3477, 13 October 1926, Page 7

MARKING THE IN COAL STRIKE

Safety Men Offer

to ieiate

MEANWHILE REMAIN AT

POSTS

[By Electric Cable— Copyright.] [Aust. and N.Z. Cable —sociatlon.] (Received Tuesday, 7.40 p.m.) LONDON, Oct. 11. The executive of the Colliery Deputies Federation, representing [.twenty- five thousand safety-men, requested the Minister of Labour to accept their mediation to secure a peaceful solution of the strike. Meanwhile they advised members to remain at their posts. COMMUNISTS PROMISE FURTHER SUPPORT. (Received Tuesday, 7.40 p.m.) MOSCOW, Oct. 11. The executive of tho Communist International, has issued a manifesto in favour of the coal embargo, and future financial support to the British miners. CANADIAN TRADE SERIOUSLY AFFECTED. WHEAT CROP HELD UP. (Received Tuesday, 10.35 p.m.) VANCOUVER, Oot. 11. IA message from Regina, Saskatchewan, reports that the prolonged stoppage of the British mining industry, is having a serious effect on flic ex. port trade of Canadian grain and butter. Officials of the Saskatchewan wheat pool and co-operative creameries, dedare that “unless some relief to the present situation comes before the freeze-up, there may be serious congestion in the movement of the wheat crop.” An official of the “pool’’ added that ocean freight rates had jumped about fifty per cent, and a similar increlase expected on rates prevailing on the Great Lakes. The shortage of tonnage available for shipping grain has caused this increase. This shortage is due to the transfer of vessels, normally used for clarrying grain, from Canada to Britain to the work of carrying coal from the United States to supply the need of British industries. THE BREAKAWAY CONTINUES.

LONDON, Oct. 11. There is a serious split amongst the miners on the Oannock Chase coalfield th e majority of the leaders favouring a resumption and withdrawing from the federation. The Leicestershire breakaway has been followed by a secret meeting of the owners. CONCILIATION RATHER TRAN AGGRESSION. {ADDRESS AT LABOUR CONFERENCE. LONDON, Oct. 11. “The mine owners are the most ruthless reactionary section of the employers, while individuals of Labour’s own ranks have adopted the old militarist formula that the way to assure peace is to prepare for war. We have had a constant reptition from July, 1925, to April, 1926, of phases such as ‘Got ready for May Day, ‘Line up for forces,’ and 'Clear the decks for action,’ so dear to those linking up with strife for strife’s sake,” said Mr Williams in a presidential address to the Labour Party Conference.

“Labour does not think international or industrial peace can be assured by preparing for war. We must preserve the unions’ right to strike, but we must not forget that industrial, like international peace, must be sought through conciliation. Voices will be heard saying, “Get ready for the next general strike, to which X reply, ‘Head the agreements on which work was resumed in May.’ My experience shows that it is easy to bring out the men, but very difficult to secure a return on terras as satisfactory as before the strike. “Socialism does not come by increasing the misery of the masses. We cannot subvert or overthrow; we must supersede capitalism." Mr Williams continued “The miners’ continuance of the sIA-uggle though heroic, is like a sightless Samson feeling for the temple pillars, the crashing of which might engulf what we call British civilisation. The miners’ request for a general embargo is a despairing policy. The embargo was ineffective m 1921. What hope of success has it in 1926? I say again, ‘Look at the railway transport agreements since the strike,’ which show that the embargo might bo magnificent .but it is not war. The whole Labour movement admires the stoical suffering and fortitude of the mine workers and the women and children. Were these men defending Mafeking or Ladysmith, or conducting an epic retreat from Mons, they would win the approval of the entire nation." The conferenco defeated a heated attempt to reopen the question of the affiliation of the Communist Party. A card vote showed 2,706,000 votes to 248,000 votes.