GENERAL STRIKE ORDER

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXIII, 4 May 1926, Page 7

GENERAL STRIKE ORDER

War Declared on Community COMPLETE BREAKDOWN OF NEGOTIATIONS. Negotiations have completely broken down, and both sides are preparing for a big struggle. The Government is bringing its emergency organisations into operation, and restrictions are being placed on the use of essentials. The strikers have already prevented the publication of several newspapers, andl grave charges are being made against this interference with the liberty of the Press. The railway services cease on Monday night, and the Trade Union Congress claims that Labour is fighting to preserve the present standards of living. Continental interest has been aroused, and fears are expressed that the upheaval may spread. American newspaper opinion generally supports the British Government in its fight to preserve the right of the majority to govern. GOVERNMENT ISSUES OFFICIAL STATEMENT. STRIKE CHALLENGES CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY. By Cable —Press Association—Copyright Reutor’s Telegrams (Received May 3, 11.30 p.m.) LONDON, May 3. An official statement from Downing Street at la.m., says: “ Tiie following decision of the Government lias been conveyed to Mr Pugh (chairman of tlie Trades’ Union Congress Committee: “The Government believe that no solution of the difficulties of the coal industry, which are both practicable and honourable to all concerned, can he reached, except by tlie sincere acceptance of the report of the Commission. In the expression of the report is included both the reorganisation of the industry, which should he put in hand immediately, and Xicnding results of reorganisation being attained, such interim adjustment of wages or hours. of work as make it economically possible to curry on tho industry in the meantime.’ “ If the miners or the trade Union Committee on their behalf were prepared to say plainly that they accept this proposal, the Government could have been ready to resume negotiations and continue the .subsidy for a fortnight, hut since the discussions between the Ministers and members of tlie Trade Union Committee, it lias come to the knowledge of the Government, not only that spec lie instructions have been sent under the authority of the Executives of the Trade Unions represented at the Conference convened by tlie General Council of the Trade Union Congress, asking their members, in several most vital industries and services of the country, to carry out a general strike on Tuesday next, but that overt nets have already occurred, including gross interference with the freedom of the Press. Such action involves a challenge to the constitutional rights and the freedom of the nation. The Government, therefore, before it can continue the negotiations, must require from tlie Trade Union Committee, both a repudiation of the acts referred to that have already occurred, and an immediate and unconditional withdrawal of the instructions for a general strike.” The General Council of the Trades Union Congress has sent a letter to Mr Baldwin expressing surprise and regret at the Government’s decision to terminate the discussion, declaring that the public will judge of tlie nature of the Government’s intention by its precipitate and calamitous decision, and deploring that the sincere work in which the Council has been engaged to obtain ail honourable settlement, has been wrecked by tlie Government’s ultimatum. The “Daily Herald” (Labour), says: “In all newspaper offices, the printers are watelling closely what is being said about the crisis.”

MENACE OF GENERAL STRIKE, j PEACE!'UL' NEGOTIATIONS BREAK DOWN. RAILWAY HOLD-UP TO-MORIIOAV

By Cable —Prcsa Association —Copyright. Australian ami N.Z. Cable Association. (Received May 3, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, May 2. ' The unexpected recall ol the mining leaders to London at midnight to see Mr Baldwin, gave hopes, but Cabinet finally broke up at 12.30, when it was officially announced that negotiations to avert a general strike had broken down. Eager Volunteers.

Large crowds assembled at A\hitehnll tTiis morning and witnessed the arrival of the Cabinet members. Though the Government lias not issued °i. call for volunteers, it has opened registration offices in the ilia time lints in the Foreign Oil'ico quadrangle. Hundreds ol men and women of all ages and classes lined up in .pieues of eager volunteers. Air Force and Navy Active. Tll the event of a. general stoppage, the. Air Force largo bombers wilt carry mails anil important packages. Smaller machines will transport; ministers and officials, and patrol over railways and bridges. There is considerable activity to-day at the Naval ports and military garrisons. All leave has been canceiled, and troops have already reached several mining areas. Railwayman Going Out. 1

The railway companies have received notices terminating their employment to-morrow. The (Treat AVeslern Railway appealed to its employees to remain loyal, and let the mining industry settle its disputes directly.

miners issue manifesto. LABOUR .JOURNAL’S CIMTICISAI. -

»y Cable—Press Association —Copyrlcht. «* v«traliaD and N.Z. Cable AspociM.l"-. „ I Received Alay IS, b.o p. 111.) .LONDON, Alay 2. The Aliuer.s’ bedeiatiou this allernotiu issued a ipnndesto reiterating the impossihilily of the miners accepting a lower standard of living.

Appeal for Goodwill. The “Daily Herald,” in an editorial, says: .“Mr Baldwin appeals for goodwill: let him set an example anil

cease to bo the tool of big business, in an attempt to lower the standard of the life of the masses. There is a elianeo yet to avoid war; let him get back to consideration of the Coal Commission report and hold a ioursideci discussion between the Trade Union Congress, the miners, .tlie mine owners and the Government, and cease tho foolish incitements by

moving troops and setting lip emergency machinery which is not required, seeing that the Trade Unions have guaranteed food supplies. On these lines we can hope to have peace.”

LABOUR’S IRRITATION TACTICS. PRINTERS HOLD-UP PRESS AND PRINTING. fly Cable—Press Association —Copyright. Australian and N.Z. Cabio Association. (Received Mav .‘3, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, May 2.

iTie “Daily Mail” is not publishing to-day owing to the printers refusing to permit the publication of a leading article calling on all law-abiding citizens to hold themselves at the

service of tho King and country. The organisation and maintenance of supplies—a non-political voluntary organisation, whose formation a low months ago aroused intense Labour opposition—sent an appeal for reproduction in several Sunday papers in London, but the media nical staffs of most oil'ices refused to print it, so it

appeared only in two papers and then only after considerable modification. Tho. “Daily Herald” .says: The 0.A1.5. tried to have tho document printed on Friday in the shape <if handbills, as an appeal to the public. It was set in type, but tho machinists refused to print it. and tho firm could not fulfil the order.”

SKIRMISHES IN HADE PARK. DISTURBERS DISPERSED BY POLICE. By Cable —Press Association —Copyright. Australian and N.Z-. Cable Association.

Received Mav 3, 7.30 p.m. LONDON, May 3. Two Communists, and three British Fascists .were arrested in Hyde Park after a series of day-long skirmishes between various factions. Tile police drew their battnns and called up the Mounteds to disperse the crowds trying to rescue the arrested Communists.

WORKERS’ VIEWPOINT STATED. STILL TIME FOR HONOURABLE SETTLEMENT. By Cable —Press Association —Copyright. Reuter’s Telegrams. (Received May 3, 7.30 p.m.) LONDON, March 3.

On Sunday night, the General Council of tlie Trade Union Congress

issued % manifesto declaring that even now an honourable settlement can be reached, but the Government s demand that the miners leaders consent, in advance of negotiation to the reduction of wages must bo withdrawn. The notices nlfio _ inn<st be

withdrawn to allow negotiations to proceed without the issue being prejudiced. The manifesto concludes that there is no shadow of reason why the miners should he locked out or the grave decision of a stoppage allowed to take effect. If .it does, then the responsibility will lie with the Government and tlie owners. RED HAND SHOWING. BOLSHEVISTS BOUND FOR ENGLAND.

By .Cable —Press Association —Copyright Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. Received May 3, 7.30 p.m. BERLIN, May 3. Four leading Bolsheviks, whom the Third International employs as experts in British affairs, are going

to England under assumed names, intending to assume control of the British Communists. INTEREST IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES. GERMAN OWNERS’ PLEASED AT DEVELOPMENT.

By Cable—Press Association —Copyrlgnt. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association Received May 3, 7.30 p.m. BERLIN, May 2. Developments in the British coal dispute are being watched with interest by the German mine owners, who have recently been suffering from British competition. They are pleased at the prospect of regaining their share of the world’s coal trade wrested from them by the British mines.

The leaders of the Socialist and Communist parties are urging the German miners to do their utmost to help their British colleagues. They express tlie opinion that they will be able to prevent the direct transport of coal frtun the Ruhr to Britain, and are negotiating with the Dutch Labour Unions with a view' of preventing German coal reaching Britain via Holland. FREEDOM OF PRESS

CHALLENGED. OFFICIAL STATEMENT ISSUED. By Cable—Press Association —Copyright. Australian 'and N.Z. Cabin Association. (Received 7.30 p.m., May 3.) LONDON, May 3. Tlie Government, in a. statement, giving the reasons for the breakdown, declared that the overt acts already occurred, including interference with tlie freedom of tlie Press, involved a

challenge to the nation’s constitutional rights. Before a continuance of the negotiations, the Government demands that tho Congress shall repudiate tlioso actions immediately, and unconditionally withdraw the instructions for a general strike, “Tho Times” leader says: “Unless tho counsels of reason prevail, the

country is faced with the gravest domestic menace since the fall of the Stuarts. It is incredible that the loaders really considered the nature of the consequences of the strike, otherwise they would not support so manifestly disastrous a step. They claim to speak on lelia f cf 3,500,000 workers, but admittedly only a fraction have been consulted oil the issue. “The leaders arrogate to themselves right to inflict incalculable injury on the entire nation and the Empire. It will be a ruinous blow at the revival of British credit, bringing loss and poverty on innocent millions. The leaders sincerely stato that they are not declaring war on the people, hut this assertion will not stand the test

of facts.” The “Daily Mail’s” tabooed leader was entitled “for King and Country.” Tho society of operative printers demanded it should be altered. The editor refused to comply, and the unions, including the compositors, process workers and telegraphists, decided it was not within their province to discuss the newspaper’s policy, and resolved to carry on, but the printers and machine managers, stcrcotvpcrs and packers, ceased work. The article pointed out that a general strike was not an industrial dispute, but a revolutionary movement intended

to inflict suffering on tlie great mass of innocent persons, and thereby put forcible constraints upon the Government. Such a movement could not be tolerated by a civilised Government.. MOST FORMIDABLE STRUGGLE. View of french press. By Cable—Preos Association—Copyright Australian ami N.Z. Cable Association.

PARIS, May 2. The Press regards Die tlireatened general strike as the most formidable social struggle in Britain’s history. It is recognised that there must be inevitable repercussions m France and other countries, in view of the international linking up of Labour forces. Tho Communist- paper “Humanitc” expresses the opinion that if British Labour forms a single front it must bo taken as a signal of a renaissance dawn of a victorious Labour offensive throughout Europe, but a compromise settlement will throw back the Continental Labour movement, causing a painful period in post-war history. THROUGH PRUSSIAN EYES. STRONG OPPOSITION TO SUBSIDY. By Cable —Press Association —Copyright Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. BERLIN, May 2. Herr Schreider, Minister of Trade, told the Prussian Diet that the English coal subsidy bad caused squandering of coal, which wa.s sold below

cost price, resulting in. 38 Ruhr mines being closed, idling 10,000. He added that German mining must lie saved . from the results of the English subsidy. 'The “Daily Mail” interprets this declaration to mean that Germany is considering banning British imports in the event of the continuance of the subsidy.

GENERAL STRIKE THREAT.

APPLAUDED BY GERMAN COMMUNISTS. 2jr Cable—Press Association—Copyright. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association ' ' ’ BERLIN, May 2. The Communists received news oi tlie British stoppage with cheers, and carried a resolution of support of the miners. “ALL TALK AND NO TACKLING.” MR LLOYD GEORGE’S CRITICISM. By Cable—Press Association—Copyright. AUfctraUou and N.Z. Cabio Abioci*iw« LONDON. May 2. Mr Lloyd George, in a speech at Cambridge, referring to the coal trouble, said: “There has been the sam e perfunctory, dilatory diplomacy, tb e same ineffectual, leisurely negotiations, which led to the Great War. It lias been all talk, and no tackling.” lie appealed to everyone to support the State,, which must come first and last all the time. The “Daily Despatch” understands that the Government is anxious that cricket should conliinie. but racing automatically ceases. LONDON DEEPLY IMPRESSED. PRAYERS FOR PEACEFUL’ SETTLEMENT. By Cable —Press Association—Copyright. Aaatraiian und N.Z. Cnblo A&bociliiou* LONDON, May 2. Practically all churches throughout the country" devoted the services to the coal strike, with special sermons and prayers, and concluding in most cases witii the National Anthem. MEETING AN EMERGENCY. PLANS SWINGING INTO ACTION. By Cable—Press Association —Copyright. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. LONDON, May 2. ’l’be first stage of tlie Government’s scheme for dealing with the emergency is now completed. All ten district Commissioners have arrived at their posts throughout the country, carrying out arrangements. It is' officially stated that food conditions are normal. There is no need for public anxiety or nanio. The Trades Union Congress remained in session throughout the day, anil conferred with tbe raihvaymen’s leaders regarding the running of food and milk trains, which they are prepared to carry on in the event of a stoppage.