COMMISSION’S REPORT IS SOLUTION OF TROUBLE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17837, 4 May 1926, Page 8

COMMISSION’S REPORT IS SOLUTION OF TROUBLE.

By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. ** Sydney Sun ” Cable. LONDON, May 3. An official statement issued from Downing Street at one o'clock this morning says the following decision of the Government has been conveyed to Mr Pugh, chairman of the Trades Union Congress committee: The Government believes that no solution of the difficulties of the coal industrv. which would be both practicable and honourable to all concerned, can l)e reached except by the sincere acceptance of the report of the Coal Commission. In the report is included both the reorganisation of the industry, which should be put in hand immediately. and, pending the results of reorganisation being attained, such interim adjustment of wages or hours of work as would make it economically possible to carry on the industry in the meantime. If the miners on the trade union committee on their behalf, were prepared to say plainly that they would accept this proposal the Government would have been ready to resume negotiations and continue the subsidy for a fortnight, but since the discussions between the Ministers and members of the trade union committee it has cqme to the knowledge of the Government, not only that specific instructions have been sent under the authority of the executive of the trade unions represented at the conference convened by the general council of the Trade Union Congress asking their members in several of the most vital industries and services in the country to carry out a general strike on Tuesday next, but that overt acts have already occurred, including gross interference with the freedom of the Press. Such action involves a challenge to constitutional rights and the freedom of the nation. The Government, therefore. before it can continue negotiations. must require from the trade union committee both the repudiation of the acts referred to and the immedi- • ate unconditional withdrawal of instructions for a general strike. On Sunday night the General Council } of the Trade Union Congress issued • a manifesto declaring that even now an honourable settlement can be reach- ! ed. but the Government's demand that ! the miners’ leaders consent in advance j of negotiations to a reduction in wages j must be withdrawn. The notices j also must be withdrawn so as to allow j the negotiations to proceed without the i issue being prejudiced. The manifesto concludes. “There is 1 no shadow of reason why the miners should be locked out or the grave de- 1 vision of a stoppage allowed to take effect. If it does, then the responsibil- i ity will lie with the Government and . the owners. Regarding the Government’s first j reason for breaking off the negotiations, namely, that specific instructions have been sent to trade unionists in several industries and services to cease work, the Congress says it is not unusual for workmen to cease work in defence of their interests as wageearners. and the specific reason for the decision in this case was to secure for the workers the same right as the employers insist upon with their workers. namely, that negotiations shall be conducted free from the atmosphere of a strike or lockout. The council disclaims any knowledge of overt acts, including interference with the liberty of the Press, and says that the decisions of the council definitely forbid any such independent and unauthorised action. It regrets it was not given the opportunity of an investigation and dealing with the alleged incidents before the Government made them an excuse for breaking the peace discus

si ops. 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 termi-

nate discussion, declaring that the public will judge the 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 an honourable settlement has been wrecked by the Government's ultimatum.