THE STRIKE “INQUEST”

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20005, 24 January 1927, Page 7

THE STRIKE “INQUEST”

SETBACK TOR MINERS. GENERAL COUNCIL’S ACTION ENDORSED. fPre«» Association—B;> Telegraph—Copyright.) LONDON, January 21. A setback for the miners marked the resumption of the strike “inquest,” Mr Hicks announcing that the Standing Orders Committee had ruled out the miners’ amendment to refer the Trades Union Congress’s and the miners’ separate reports to the affijfeted unions for decision on their merits. The miners’ leaders protested against the decision, after which the lessor lights of the union movement continued the debate. The vote for the endorsement of the General Council’s action resulted in 2,840,00 ft votes for endorsement and 1,005.000 against. The wood workers and furnishing trades and the distributive workers voted against the council. The chairman urged the delegates to heed the speakers’ appeals and forget the past, and to build up the strength of the movement to resist future attacks.—A. and N.2. Cable.

VINDICATION OF TRADES UNIONISM. LONDON, January 21. (Received Jan. 23, at 5.5 p.m.) The issue which has agitated all branches of trade unionism since the general strike was called off has boon definitely closed with an overwhelming vindication of Trades Union Congress action. The miners, supported by a couple of smaller unions, came prepared to fight, but the decision of the Standing Orders Committee in ruling out the amendment and proposing a vote of the rank and file, virtually “spiked their guns.” Nevertheless, their representatives raised ineffective protests, but the delegates generally supported the view that as they were a body which mandated the general council to call a strike they should be a body to pass judgment on an action calling off the strike. Most likely a miners’ delelgates’ conference will bo hold to consider leadership and policy during the strike in view of the verdict parsed bv trades unionism.— A. and N.Z. ■