BRITISH COAL CRISIS

Otago Witness, Issue 3764, 4 May 1926, Page 55

BRITISH COAL CRISIS

THREAT OF A GENERAL STRIKE. LONDON, May 1. The Trade Union Conference declared in favour of a general strike at midnight. On Monday the conference intends to make volunteer arrangements to feed the people. Following this decision, the King proclaimed that a state of emergency exists. The whole trade union movement is behind the minere, who threaten to call a general strike to their support, thus affecting 5,000,000 workers in addition to more than 1,000,000 miners, but it is considered possible that this weapon will be withheld at present, and will only operate gradually if the coal stoppage is prolonged. The Daily Express says the total war chest of the Miners’ Federation does not exceed £4,000,000, but credit can be obtained through the other unions. It is reported that Mr Baldwin yesterday said: “I am quite sure that if we fail to agree we shall all be heavily blamed by the country. There are times when a movement of this kind is favoured, but I do not believe that such a feeling exists to-day. The hope that all would emerge from the struggle with credit is gone, and we, perhaps, are a bit ashamed of ourselves.” READINESS FOR A CONTEST. LONDON, May 1. Never before has a strike occurred when all the parties were so prepared for all eventualities. The Government’s plans are cut and dried, and are beginning to operate. Tne country has been divided into 10 areas, each controlled by a civil commissioner, who lias drastic powers to make decisions concerning food supplies, transport, call distribution, and post office communications. The gas, electricity, and railway companies have been storing coal for months past, and it is estimated that they possess several months’ supply. There are also 12,000,000 tons of coal lying at the pit mouths or in course of transit. A census of commercial vehicles shows that more than 200,000 are at the Government’s disposal. MOVEMENTS OF TROOPS. LONDON, May 1. As a precautionary measure, the Government has moved detachments of troops into South Wales, Lancashire, and Scotland. STRIKE CALL TO UNIONS. LONDON, May 1. A memorandum issued by the Trade Union Congress says that the trades involved in the strike call include all forms of transport, the printing trades (including the press), iron, steel, chemicals, building works (except those employed on housing or hospital work, electricity, and gas, but the sanitary services will be continued. There will be no interference with the health and food services. The memorandum prescribes regulations for trade union discipline, and declares that any one found inciting the workers to riot must be dealt with immediately. The chairman of the Trades Union Conference said that the trade unionists fully supporting the council’s policy numbered «i,6i)3,5J5/, and those who negatived its policy numbered 49,911. Mr Bevin expressed the council’s appreciation v.; the proposals for action, which were not submitted until the Emergency Powers Act was signed. “We did not declare war on the community,” he said. “War was declared by the Government, and we are selecting certain vital trades to bear the first brunt of the contest. There must be no argument as to who shall remain in and who shall come out. You must taka and obey orders. Any members told to operate voluntary services must not be interfered with.” Mr Ramsay MacDonald said the Government had decided to fight the people’s standard of living. He believed they would have got peace last evening. The decision of the Government to break off the negotiations was a crime against society. It was an unnecessary, wicked, criminal fight, and the whole question woul 1 be raised in the House of Commons on Monday. They were standing by the miners, but still hoping that something would happen before then to enable the workers to continue work. PROMISES BY MR BALDWIN. LONDON, May 1. Correspondence between the Prime Minister and the miners yesterday shows that in submitting the owners’ offer Mr Baldwin reiterated the promise made on the previous day that the existing seven hours’ day would remain on the Statute Book and that onlv temporary legislation would be used to provide additional hours, and the Government would establish a commission not later than December 31, 1929, to advise whether as a result of reorganisation or better trade or both the conditions of the coal industry had improved to such an extent as to justify a reversion to seven hours. The miners, in the course of their reply, pointed out that the proposal to increase the hours was contrary to the findings of the commission.