THE DOOR STILL OPEN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19321, 7 May 1926, Page 11

THE DOOR STILL OPEN.

TRADE UNIONS' ATTITUDE. CONCILIATORY TONE IN HOUSE HOPE FROM LABOUR SPEECHES. CONVERSATIONS CONTINUED. (Received 1.25 a.m.) A. and N.Z.—Sun. LONDON, May 6. The latest news is that tho Prime Minister and Mr. J. H. Thomas, M.P., are conferring with a view to reaching a basis for negotiations for a settlement of tho strike.

There is also great activity this morning among Labour leaders. Dramatic developments are expected. Reports regarding the situation yesterday were: — "Our last word to the Government is that the door is still open." These words summed up the attitude of the Trade Unions Congress when it broke up at midnight.

Two days of the general strike Lave produced a feeling in the lobbies of Parliament that the parties have drifted into an utterly unreasonable attitude. Many Conservatives have been impressed by the tone of the speeches from the Labour benches. Labour members clearly recognise the risk of their party being identified with the general strike policy to the detriment of their political future. There is a strong hope that to-morrow may produce a formula to permit the strike to be ended before its gets beyond the control of its authors. In view of the conciliatory speeches made in the House to-nighfc the Prime Minister, Mr. Stanley Baldwin, and Mr. J. H. Thomas, Labour member for Derbv, renewed informal conversations to sec whether an understanding is possible without delay. Following these conversations Mr. Ramsay Mac Donald saw Mr. A. -T. Cook, secretary, and Mr. Herbert Smith, president of the Miners' Federation, and discussed the situation. An official review of the situation issued from the headquarters of the Trade Unions Congress declares that solidarity and unanimity arc maintained, and headquarters is satisfied that the machinery is working smoothly and well. The council has received resolutions of support from the Confederation of Labour in Franco, Holland, America and Canada offering to do anything possible to help. Messages of congratulation have been received from Germany, and offers of practical help have come from the mining districts. The statement concludes: "Strict orders have been issued to the men to be exemplary in their conduct and not to give grounds for police interference." GARDENING- AND PLAY. MINERS IN SOUTH WALES. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Reed. 12.5 a.m.) LONDON. May 5. Reports from the mining areas in South Wales indicate that the miners were taking matters quietly. They work in their gardens or play games.