COAL STRIKE

Southland Times, Issue 20011, 27 October 1926, Page 5

COAL STRIKE

DEBATE IN COMMONS MINERS’ LEADERSHIP CRITICISED ALL GOVERNMENT OFFERS REJECTED (By Telegraph—Press Assn. —Copyright.) (Rec. 7.5 p.m.) London, October 25. In the House of Commons Mr Clynes said it was deplorable that there should be no statement from the Government in connection with the strike—nothing but another profitless debate. Though thousands had been driven back, the miners would not surrender except to pressure of starvation. He appealed to Mr Baldwin to take immediate steps to procure an atmosphere leading to peace. Mr. Lloyd George appealed for a return to Mr ChurchiH’s proposals which were the most likely to produce an honourable peace. A lasting peace was not to be procured by driving the at the point of starvation. Mr. Baldwin said the country would be asked in due time to give judgment on the events of this year and when the time came it would face the position. The leadership of the miners during the last few months had been lamentably incompetent. Every Government offer had been turned down. They admitted failure to that extent. It was a tragic state of things. It would be wrong to make believe that negotiations were in progress when there were none. The Government’s proposals had been rejected and it had no further proposals to make. The only thing he was quite clear about as to the future was that so long as the affairs of this great industry have to be negotiated between personalities who have attempted negotiations thus far, there would never b« much hope of a settlement. Mr. G. R. Lane-Fox, Under-Secretary for Mines, replying on behalf of the Government said if the miners really wanted a nttlement it was open to them to make provisional settlements in the districts. Diis could be done in a few days if local leaders were allowed to do it. The purpose erf the prolongation of the dispute was simply to save the faces of a few men at the top. The debate was adjourned. Mr F. Penny (Conservative) said that the Opposition had put forward no constructive proposals. Amidst Labour protests he asked if Mr Cook was paid for every speech he delivered. Sir W. Joypeon-Hicks justifying the action taken by the CSiief Constable of Staffordshire recalled a police report of one of Mr Cbok’s speeches in which he described the police as “Dirty bluebottles.” “But,” said the Minister, “it is not necessary to give a definite reason beyond the Chief Constable’s decision that a breach of peace might occur. The House of Lords agreed to a continuance of the miffing regulations after Lord Haldane had raised the question of the prohibition of Mr Cook’s meetings in Staffordshire. Lord Birkenhead said Mr Cook’s concern was not to procure a settlement but to destroy British industry, firstly with the object of advertising himself and secondly, of applying the doctrine of nationalisation to the coal fields.—A. and N.Z. EMERGENCY REGULATIONS RENEWED. London, October 25. The House of Commons held a special sitting to renew the emergency regulations till December 9, when the ordinary session begins. Commander Kenworthy took his seat on the Labour Benches.—A. and N.Z. MEDIATION PROPOSALS DISCUSSED. (Rec. 1L25 pjn.) London, October 26. It is announced that Mr Cook intends addressing meetings to-day where he was banned on Sunday. Mr Frank Hodges, at Bridgend, elaborated a suggestion for making district agreements to be followed by a national settlement based thereon, thus securing a negotiated peace. The Daily Herald gives prominence to lord Derby’s willingness to mediate and affirms that the suggestion was carefully considered beforehand and supported by a considerable body of Conservative opinion. —A. and N.Z. MEETING BANNED. (Rec. 9.15 p.m.) London, October 26. The police banned a meeting of Mr Herbert Smith at Wombwell yesterday.—A. and N.Z. COAL FOR THE ARGENTINE. Sydney, October 26. As the result of the coal strike in England the Union Company’s steamer Waikawa has been chartered to load 6000 tons of coal at Port Kembla for the Argentine. —A. and N.Z.