MILITANCY OF STRIKERS.
If EVO LUTI ON AU Y TA (TICS
MOSCOW ORDERS CIVIL WAR. DRASTIC ACTIONS DEFENDED. ATTACKS ON VITAL ACTIVITIES. By Telegraph -Prcsa Association- Copyright. (Received p.m.) A. & N".7,.l?euter.-Times LONDON, May 10. The most serious aspect of the strike concerns the strikers' reported second and third lines of attack. 'I his is their own description of the offensive against, the fowl supplies and against light and power. The Trades Union Congress on Saturday night stated that no order had been issued against food supplies, but agencies give instances of interference. Nevertheless, food continues to be marvellously distributed. When a shortage occurs it is due to retailers failing to obtain supplies from the wholesale houses.
Viscount Grey of Falloden. in a message broadcasted throughout the country, said tho negotiations about miners wages must be free. They would not be liee while the general strike existed. Forces of Disorder Let Loose. '"The strike has let loose forces of disorder which are no part of the trade unionism of this country, ' said Lord Grew ''They are hooligan forces which the trades union leaders themselves would disown at ordinary times. If the object of the strike be revolutionary there, is nothing to do but. to fight it to the hitter end, but if the sole object is to get the best terms possible for the miners, then the wisest course will he to withdraw the strike, and get back to the negotiations. The Times on Saturday morning said the General Council of the Trades Union Congress had set itself up as a rival authority to the Government, 'the community. in its own defence, must improvise emergency services.
The pap or laid stress on the fact that trades union agreements had been broken and that desperate, injury had been done to the. honour of trades unionism. Instructions From Bolsheviks. The Riga correspondent of the Times says the Third (Communist) International has instructed the British Communist. Flirt V to <lo its utmost to hamper food transport.
'"You must urge class against, class everywhere," says the instruction. ' 'iou must accelerate developments toward an active civil war."
In the course of a speech at Willesden, Mr. C. T. Cramp, secretary of the National Union of Railwaymen. said he understood there was a feeling that the Railway and Transport Unions were fighting the battle rather drastically. Some workers were even inclined to think the methods adopted would hurt their own class.
This was not a. picnic party. They might, and probably woulcL inconvenience some of their own comrades, but the inconvenience must he borne.
Referring to recent speeches made by the Prime Minister, Mr. Cramp expressed the opinion that, they were the utterances of a well-meaning man, but said he believed there had been sinister influences working behind Mr. Baldwin. These had emanated from people who were desirous of crushing the. workers.
"They wanted a ficrlit and (hoy have got it,'' he said. '"I hope they like it."
FOEOES OF STATE.
GREAT DAILY EXPANSION. SPECIAL POLICE IN THOUSANDS. (Received 5.35 p.m.) A. and N.Z.-Router.-Sun. LONDON. May 10. In connection with the general strike 6000 special constables arc being enrolled each clay.
'1 he headmaster of Eton College and 50 assistant masters have enrolled. Victoria Pa:k, in the East End of London, has Nen closca to the public and has now become a military encampment. T! e Government explains that at presort the!-;- are two forces attached to the London po'ice. These consist of a special reserve force and a special emergency constabulary numbering 25,000, who give part of their time in assisting the regular police. The tactr:?. of evilly-disposed persons in using the crisis to interfere with the rights of the community has necessitated the expansion of the police by enrolling men whose whole time, will be at the, disposal of the authorities. These comprise the, new civil constabulary reserve. Territorials will serve in their own units under their own officers. The scheme will also be extended throughout the country.
EVIL OF REVOLUTION.
DANGER IN ITS SUCCESS. (Received 10.5 p.m.) Router. LONDON, May 10. The Earl of Balfour in an article in the British Gazette, says:—--"It is 238 years since there was a revolution in this country, the object, of which was to secure supremacy in Parliamentary government and over the traditional liberties of our people. We are now threatened with a very different kind of revolution, the methods of which consist of depriving the people of their food, their transport, their employment and a free press.
" Xo revolution in Britain, however triumphant, is going to diminish competition in neutral markets, augment the demand for coal at home, hasten the changes recommended by the Coal Commission and compel the mine-owner indefinitely to carry on his industry at a loss." "If this revolution succeeds the community 'will thenceforth lie ruled by a. relatively small body of Extremists who regard the trades unions, not as machinery for collective bargaining within our industrial system, but as a political instrument by means of which the industrial system may be utterly destroyed. Such a policv would bring ruin swift, complete and irresistible. "We live on industry and industry lives on credit and enterprise. What credit, financial or political, and what enterprise would remain to us were we driven by such methods to dispossess the people of their Parliamentary liberties and to hand over our national heritage to be squandered, amid incalculable suffering, by violent, irresponsible doctrinaires'! From such a fate may the courage and resolution of our countrymen save civilisation."
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Bibliographic details
New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19324, 11 May 1926, Page 9
Word Count
918MILITANCY OF STRIKERS. New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19324, 11 May 1926, Page 9
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