LLOYD GEORGE SPEAKS PLAINLY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19968, 7 June 1920, Page 7

LLOYD GEORGE SPEAKS PLAINLY.

WARNING TO RAILWAYMEN nr Telegraph—fiesj Association— Copyright. A. and K.Z. Cable Association and R»at,r. (Received June 7, 9.25 a.in.) LONDON. Juno. 5. Mr Thomas, secretary of the .Hailwaymen’s \ nion, stales that his executive interviewed Mr Lloyd George and ask-cd for special British and special Irish trades union congresses In try to bridge the gull' between the I fish-people and the Government. Mr Lloyd George, replying, regretted the attitude of the Irish raiheaynien, and stated linn tlm Government could not tolerate any discrimination in regard to various classes of goods. The Government was hound to take every’ step to maintain order. The Premier pointed out that 'l'mties Unionism now sought to influence political decisions not by the ordinary machinery of the Slate but by threats of disorganising 1 ‘be industries of the country. That j was a serious issue, which be took up j :i f' once, liewould regard it ns a. cumj fdote abdication ’ by the Government, I if they were in the least to counten- ( auco snob a demand. 'Loo issue raised I s similar to tbo recent issue in j Prance, which ended so disastrously I lor trades unionism in Prance. He do dined to ladiove that tbo National I uion of llailwnymen would embark on policy wbicli the Trades Union v.engross absolutely refused to sanction. In connection with another important matter of public policy, Mr Thomas said ho recognised that to support the strikers; in Ireland meant a declaration ol war on the Government.