COAL MINERS AND SINEWS OF WAR

Manawatu Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 3478, 14 October 1926, Page 7

COAL MINERS AND SINEWS OF WAR

Onions Reaching End of Resources

HUGE SUMS VOTED FOR

RELIEF

TBy Electric Cable —Copyright.] [Aust. and N.Z. Cable Association.] (Received Wednesday, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, Oct. 12.

Mr. Thomas made remarkable disclosures of the ruinous effect of the strike upon the big unions. When he was permitted to speak, he crushingly informed the extremists that the rallwaymen cou!d not pay the levy, because since May 1, 45,000 riilwaymen had been unemployed, • nd 200,000 working three days per week. ■ . Mr. Ben Tillet backed up his argument, declaring that 80,000 transport workers were unemployed and 100,000 working part-time. His union has spent £1.000,000 in the miners’ interest. The union was now £500,000 In 'debt. . ... Mr. Thomas, facing the mterjoctors, said: “Tho time has come for those of us who have had to stand the sluis and jeers, to speak out. Wo will not deceive the miners. Do not let poor men and women believe you are going to do something when you cannot."

UNEMPLOYED TOTAL 1,572,000.

EXCLUSIVE OF MINERS.

(Received Wednesday, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, OCT. 12,

Official returns show 1,572,000 unemployed in Britain. last week, an increase of 45,000 compared with the previous week, and an increase of 275,000 compared, with the corresponding week of 1025. The figures exclude miners. |||Jj| WARNING TO GOVERNMENT.' “DO NOT IRRITATE HUNGRY MEN.” (Received Wednesday 5.15 p.m.) LONDON, Oct. 13. The largest break-away of miners occurred yesterday. Mr, Baldwin had a conference with the Coal Committee regarding supplies. Mr. Cook, speaking at Old Basford, said he was informed that if th» Federation on. Thursday decided to . carry on the fight, the Government | proposed to declare martial law in Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, and the Midlands. He warned the guthoritiee not to irritate hungry men. GOVERNMENT’S ABJECT SURRENDER. LONDON, Oct. 12. At the Labour Conference Rhys Davies, a member of the House oj Commons, moved a resolution protesting against the Government’s abjectly surrendering to the mine-own-ers and passing “the infamous Coal Mines Bill.” Mr. Kirkwood moved that the reference be. sent back, saying they wanted a resolution with a “kick in it.” The whole of civilisation was looking to see whether the Labour leaders had the courage to face “the most murderous set of capitalists that had ever held sway.” Mr. Thomas said the opponents of the resolution wanted to impose a compulsory levy and put an embargo on imported coal. “You know you cannot do either,” he said. “Don’t play the hypocrite and pretend you can.”

Mr. Rhys Davies’ resolution was carried by 3,315,000 votes to 210,000. The amendment for reference back was defeated and the closure was carried.