GRAVE COTTON CRISIS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21273, 29 August 1932, Page 9

GRAVE COTTON CRISIS

STRIKE IMMINENT NEGOTIATIONS abortive ; PAST harm involved both sides obdurate [LANCASHIRE UPHEAVAL fRy Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright (Received August 28, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON. Aug. 27 • As the result of a breakdown in the negotiations at Manchester a general strike i" the manufacturing section of the cotton industry will begin on Monday, affecting 200.000 operatives. It is considered that only immediate powerful Government intervention can gave the position. There is little hope of an immediate settlement, although the strike will cost £1,500,000 a week. The chairman of the employers organisation, Mr Hamer, declares that if the strike continues more mills will be closed ' and hundreds/ of operatives will never get work again. Both sides admit that the strike will do incalculable harm, yet neither will shift its ground. The negotiations for a settlement having proved abortive the operatives have been instructed to act upon the strike notices. It is not expected that there will be a complete stoppage in Stalybridge, Hyde, Redcliffe,; Manchester, Todmorton, Rochdale or Oldham as temporary Working agreements arc in operation in those centres. The Minister of Labour Sir Henry Betterton, says intervention at this stage would' not' 1/c likely to serve any useful purpose.