NO SIGN OF WEAKENING

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12441, 8 May 1926, Page 5

NO SIGN OF WEAKENING

DISORDERS INCREASING, AS TRANSPORT SERVICES IMPROVE

DRASTIC REGULATIONS PASSED MEETINGS PROHIBITED: ARREST WITHOUT WARRANT PERMITTED l Disorders in England and. Scotland are increasing, in number and gravity, as the transport services improve. The Government declares that interference with distribution will be repressed. Ibe emergency regulations were passed by the House of Commons, in the face of the passionate opposition of the Labour members, who finally left the chamber. The price of food is rising in London.

(Received May 7, 9.30 p.m.) LONDON, Friday Morning. Britain is undoubtedly undergoing one of the greatest internal crises in its history. It is worth while, therefore, to • attempt an impartial survey.

The Government insists, through its official organ, that the general strike is against constitutional government, and is a challenge to Parliament. The trade unions, through their own organ, insist with equal emphasis that the Constitution is not attacked, and that the dispute is purely industrial. The public interprets these viewpoints, generally speaking, according to individual predilections, but unquestionably there are cross-currents j for . instance, sympathy with the miners does not prevent people from volunteering for public service or enrolling as special constables in large numbers, while some of those who are of the opinion that the strike is unconstitutional, in essence and effect, nevertheless deplore the circumstances which led to the clash, and eagerly seek a settlement.

The nation undoubtedly supports the Government in the preservation of law and order, and resents the attempt to gain a stranglehold, and is determined to carry on in spite of difficulties.

The question naturally arises: Which side is winning? It cannot be directly answered. The strike is a success from the trade union viewpoint, judging by the response'of the workers to the unions’ call to stand idle. On the other hand, the Government is successful in- its coun-ter-action of organising the maintenance of food supplies, and is aided by the populace which is enduring hardships in order to keep things going. Trains and omnibuses are inginning to move, but the effort is infinitesimal, compared with the normal resources. Food prices are beginning to rise; fruit and vegetables especially are scarce. Tradesmen are wholly dependent on motor transport, and consequently some shops are unable to supply goods obtainable elsewhere. Mbst of the theatres are closed. Many meetings are held at street corners in the evenings, and are orderly. The people seem most to resent the absence of news. There is no outlet for public feeling. It is suggested that it would be wiser if the newspapers were published, even without the expression of opinions. INSURANCE AGAINST DAMAGE MARKET REMAINS STEADY. (Received May 7, 9.30 p.m.) LONDON, May 7. The market lor insurance against damage by rioters and strikers remains steady. The “British Gazette” states that a considerable amount of business is being done, and the rates show no panic tendency, though naturally they are higher. At present they approximate 2s (id to 4s per £IOO for retail shops, according to tho nature of the trade, while those dealing exclusively with foodstuffs and provisions are quoted at 4s to 7s 6d per £IOO. CRICKET SHOULD GO ON BRITISH CABINET'S OPINION. Reuter’s Telegram. (Received May 7, 9.30 p.m.) LONDON, May 6. The chairman of the Surrey Club said he had approached the Prime Minister regarding the desirability or not ‘of continuing cricket. Mr Baldwin had replied that Cabinet was of the opinion that it should continue, as it did not involve expense or strain on the country’s resources, and it would be a means of promoting good feeling among the sport-loving classes. SUPPORTTOGSTRIKERS FOREIGN UNIONS’ ATTITUDE. Australian and N.Z. Coble Association. TOKIO, May 6. The Japanese Federation of Labour has pledged itself to give moral and financial support to the British strikers, and cabled a message to England accordingly. RIGA, May 6. The Soviet labour unions are organising financial support for British strikers. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright SYDNEY, May 7. A meeting of the New South Wales Trades and Labour Council decided to assisT in every way possible the strike of the British coal-miners, and resolved that local lumpers, seamen, and miners should not handle any coal which they considered was to be exported to Britain.

FEW SERIOUS DISORDERS BUT MANY MINOR COLLISIONS INTERFERENCE^BY PICKETS Australian an<l iV . Z. Cable Association (Received Hay 7, 7 p.m.) LONDON; May 6. An official summary of the situation all over the country states that there have been no serious disorders, but minor collisions have occurred between the police and persons who were endeavouring to obstruct the movement of supplies. (Reuter’s Telegram.) There is much disorderliness among the dense crowds in South-East London. The mounted police, and a hundred foot police cleared the thoroughfares. Several were injured. In an official communique issued this evening it is stated that ample transport is available but the strikers and pickets are interfering with distribubution. This will require increasing attention in the next few days. All attempts to im-, pede the free movement of the public or its food will ho methodically and firmly repressed. The navy (states the communique) has rendered prompt and effectual civil assistance at several seaports. No use or display of armed force has been required . . . Tile Government’s policy, to refuse co-operation from the organisers of the general strike, should he maintained by all authorities. (Sydney Sun Cable.) The High Court granted an injunction restraining the officials of the Tower Hill branch of the Seamen’s Union from calling a strike before its members had balloted. Trade in Britain is decidedly better. Two thousand employees at Woolwich Arsenal have resumed work. The “Daily Mail” states that the special police include many Australians and New Zealanders, who are being used as police despatch-riders.

SERIOUS RIOT IN GLASGOW HOTELS AND* - SHOPS LOOTED. (Received Mav 7, 10.55 p.m.) LONDON, May 7. Serious rioting occurred in the East End of Glasgow. Sixty-six arrests were made. Several people were injured. Some public-houses and hoot shops were looted. The police, after several baton charges, cleared the neighbourhood of a tramway depot which was the centre of attack. Strikers and police clashed in Camden Town and King’s Cross. There were several baton charges by the police. LOCK-OUT OF MINERS

UNIONS URGE WITHDRAWAL. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. fhe Trades Union Congress spokesman, in outlining the position tonight, issued a warning to the people not to heed any reports about negotiations and the strike unless authorised by the Congress Council. Referring to the Government’s ultimatum, the spokesman pointed out that the general strike was preceded by the lock-out of the miners, which the miners had no chance of discussing. This denial of men’s rights to have any voice in their rates of pay was opposed to all ideas of British justice. Nevertheless, the council was continuing its efforts to secure the withdrawal of the lock-out notices, in order that the negotiations might he resumed in a free atmosphere. Mr Baldwin had taken up an attitude contrary to the council’s ideas of conducting industrial negotiations. The spokesman quoted sympathetic messages from the Canadian Farmers’ Union, half a million Lithuanian workers, and the United States and German miners. HISTORY OF NEGOTIATIONS The “British Gazette” of which' 500,000 copies were sold to-day, apnrt from 40 other papers which are being published elsewhere, gives prominence to an article by a Cabinet Minister, entitled- “Negotiations Under Menace.” The writer emphasises the importance of the second formula,

mentioned in Mr Baldwin’s speech on Wednesday, whereby Mr J- »• Thomas and two of his colleagues promised to endeavour to persuade the miners to agree to approach a .settlement with the knowledge that it might involve some reduction m wages. The member of the Cabinet pointed out that this was the first, time the Trades Council had mentioned the phrase “Reduction of Mages, j and the miners had not agreed to the phiase. At the time, the Cabinet i were negotiating with a pistol at their heads, and they decided there was no justification for the further payment of the subsidy, especially ns ™ero had been overt acts in connection with the general strike. “THE TIMES” REAPPEARS : n "Tb- Ttmpc " Despite the linotype operators being called out, “The Times” published a four-page paper. Women were included among the lino-typers. Further lively street scenes occurred at Leeds. The police, making baton charges, cleared the streets where strikers were threatening to interfere with trams. (Received May 7, 9.30 p.m.) PARIS. May 6. The printing trades unions are ordering a strike in the event of British newspapers endeavouring to print in France. They declare they must support their British colleagues. The failure of the strike means a de- ; crease in wages in France, and ! a lower standard of living. J (Reuter’s Telegram.) The executive of the Institute of Journalists passed a resolution protesting against the attempt to extinguish the newspaper Press, and the consequent suppression of freedom of t opinion and curtailment of the supj ply of authentic news. It rails on ; its members to do their utmost to ; frustrate the attempt at the earliest moment. i The Wolverhampton journalists, bo- . longing to the National Tnion of ■ Journalists, have struck, in sympathy with the printers, oVnocting to the attempt to -produco an emergency 1 sheet.

NATION’S PRAYERS REQUESTED " th CHURCH LEADERS CONFER. th of (Received May 7, 10.55 p.m.) LONDON, Slay 7. cl The archbishops of Canterbury and vc of York, and the leaders of the Free TJ Ghurctes are in very close coroiuunication, and announce they are con- ac eidering the possibility of bringing Christian opinion to bear on the solu- vi tion of the strike problem. They ask for the prayers of the nation. AUSTRALIAN MAILS £ ALL ABOARiTtHE ORVIETO. dl By Telegraph —Press A«<n —Cooyrigh;. (Received May 7, 7.40 p.m.) MELBOURNE. May 7. The Post Office has been advised that the Orvieto left London yesterday with Australian mail aboard. This is interpreted to mean that the total mail, not merely first-class matter, has been shipped. FRANC EXCHANGES SLUMP BOTH FRENCH AND BELGIAN Austmlmti nn6 'NT 7 '"'".b'p Acc^rmtion. (Received May 7, 7 p.m.) PARIS, May 6. The Cabinet is taking measures, the nature of which is not disclosed, to check the continued slump of the vo franc. It is explained that the rise in sterling is due to the British th banks selling francs, to buy sterling lil and dollars, in the face of the general di strike. wi H BELGIAN MINISTER RESIGNS S'co (Received Mav 7, 7 p.m.) BRUSSELS, May 6. to The Minister for Finance has re- ti< signed, owing to the continued slump or of the franc. VIOLENT FLUCTUATIONS LONDON, May 6. Belgian francs in London fluctuated violently. They opened at 165 to the £. touched 167 15-16, and reacted to 158). The movement is attributed to the resignation of the Finance Minister. French francs are quoted at 156} to the £. SAKLATVALAGAOLED “MOST SEDITIOUS” SPEECH LONDON, May 6. M. S. Saklatvala, M.P. (Commun- P e ist) appeared at Bow Street on a £ e charge of seditious speech, and refused an to find two sureties. He was sen- m * fenced to two months’ imprisonment. °* His counsel told the magistrate that su the accused had- decided to conduct his own defence. Saklatvala admitted the fairness if and accuracy of the polico report of co his speech. ‘ He said that his trial te was intended for the public good, and th he did not regard it as a personal th prosecution. He considered that, m w< view of the present political outlook, sil he should not be bound over any more than the Prime Minister for the th Prime Minister’s speech against a pa section of the community. to The magistrate declared 'hat no na reasonable man could doubt that wc Saklatvala’s speech was most seen- sp , tious.