THE FIGHT IS ON

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19562, 4 May 1926, Page 7

THE FIGHT IS ON

RAILWAYMEN TO CEASE WORK PEACE DISCUSSIONS TERMINATED GOVERNMENT’S CHARGE AGAINST TRADE CONGRESS The big strike is now in fun swing in Britain, and the next few hours will see the ranks of the workless swelled by the railway employees, who were to come out at the end of last night’s tv-rin srerrt.—In a manifesto, the British Government, in referring to the cessation of discussions, charges the Trade Union Congress with overt arts during the period negotiations for a peaceful settlement were in progress.

By Telegraph—Per Preee Aera.—Copyright.

THE GOVERNMENT'S CHARGE OVERT ACTS OF UNIONISTS. A REPUDIATION DEMANDED. Received May 3, 7.50 p.m. (Reuter) LONDON, May 3. An official statement issued from Downing Street at one o'clock this morning says that the following decision of the Government has been convoyed to-night to Air Pugh, chairman of the Trade Union Congress Commit* tec: —- “The Government believe no solution of the difficulties in the coal industry which are both practicable and honourable to all concerned can be reached except by a sincere acceptance of the report of the Royal Commission. In the expression ‘ acceptance of the report’ is included both reorganisation of the industrp, which should be put in hand immediately, and. pending resultse of reorganisation being attained, such interim adjustment of wages or hours of work as make it economically possible to carry on the industry in the meantime. If the miners of Trade Union Committee on their behalf were prepared to say plainly that they accept' this proposal, the Government would have been ready to resume. negotiations and continue the subsidy for a fortnight, but since discussions between Ministers and members of the Trade Union Committee it has come to the knowledge of the Government, not only that specific instructions had been sent under,the authority of the executives of 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 of the country to carry out a general strike on Tuesday next, but that overt acts had already occurred, including gross interference with freedom of the Press. Such action Involves a challenge to constitutional r.ghts and freedom of the nation. The Government therefore, before it can continue negotiations, must require from the Trade Union Committee both repudiation of the actions referred to that have already occurred. and immediate and unconditional withdrawal of instructions for a general strike.*’

‘UNPRECEDENTED ULTIMATUM’ HOPES OF SETTLEMENT WRECKED TRADE CONGRESS REPLIES TO GOVERNMENT Received May 3, 11.25 p.m. (Reuter) 'LONDON, May 3. The General Council of the Trade Union Congress sent a letter to Mr Baldwin expressing surprise and regret at the Government’s decision to terminate 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 had been engaged to obtain an honourable settlement had been wrecked by the Government's unprecedented ultimatum. In connection with the Government’s first reason for the breaking off of negotiations, namely, that specific instructions had been sent to trade unionists in several industries and services to cease work, the letter says it is not unusual for workmen to cease work in defence #f their interests as wage earners and for a specific reason. The decision ia thi? case was to secure for the workers the same right as the employers insist upon with their workers, namely, that negotiations shall bo conducted free from the atmosphere of strike or lock-out. The Council disclaims any knowledge of overt acts, including interference with the liberty of the Press, and says the decisions of the Council definitely forbid any such independent unauthorised action. It regrets it was not given the opportunity of investigating and dealing with the alleged incidents before the Government made them an excuse for the breaking off of peace discussions. Mr. Lloyd George, in a speech at Cambridge, said: “There has been the same perfunctory, dilatory diplomacy, the same ineffectual, leisurely negotiations, which led to the Great War. It has been all talk and no tackling.” He appealed to everyone to support the State, which must come first, last, and all the time.

The “Daily Dispatch” understands that the Government is anxious that cricket should continue, but racing automatically ceases.

NOT YET TOO LATE FOR HONOURABLE SETTLEMENT. MANIFESTO RY CONGRESS. Received May 3. 7.10 p.m. (Reuter) LONDON. May 3. On Sunday night th» General Council of the Trade Union Congress issued a manifesto declaring that even now an honourable settlement can be reached, but the Government’s demand that the miners’ leaders consent in advance to negotiations for a reduction in wages must be withdrawn. The notices also must be withdrawn to allow negotiations to proceed without the issue being prejudiced. The manifesto concludes: There is no shadow of reason whv the miners should be locked out. or the grave decision of a stoppage allowed to take effect, if it does the responsibility will lie with the Government and owners.

FURTHER NEGOTIATIONS ANOTHER BREAK: DOWN COMMUNISTS AND FASCISTS ARRRESTED. Received May 3, 5.5 p.m. LONDON, May 2. The unexpected recall of the miners’ 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. The “Daily Mail” is not publishing to-day, owing to the printers refusing to permit publication of a leading article calling on all law-abiding citizens to hold themselves for service for King and Country. Two Communists and three British Fascists were arrested at Hyde Park after a series of day-long skirmishes between factions. The police drew their batons and called up the mounteds to disperse the crowd trying to rescue the arrested Communists.

Railway companies have received notices terminating employment to-mor-row. The Great Western Railway Company appealed to the employees to remain loyal and let the mining industry settle its disputes directly. The coal crisis unfortunately coincides with the All-Britisch Shopping Week opening on May 3. Hundreds of shops throughout England are specialising in Empire products, including 101 miles of shop windows in London specially dressed. The organisers, nevertheless, are of the opinion that everyone will do his best to support the venture.

IRON WORKERS CLOSE DOW RAILWAY EMPLOYEES GO OUT EARLY EFFECTS OF STRIKE Received May 3, 11.25 p.m. LONDON, May 3. Already the effects of the strike are showing. Three big iron works at Motherwell and Glasgow closed owing to coal shortage, and others are following immediately. The British Advertising Convention was abandoned after a thousand delegates had gathered at Blackpool, owing to the fear of a railway disturbance. It is understood that the railway employees will cease work at the end of the night service this evening. Trams and buses will not be worked on Tuesday. The “Daily Herald” says that in all newspaper offices the printers are watching closely what is being said about the crisis.

Hyde Dark was closed at midnight for the purpose of assembling lorries in connection with the distribution of milk in the London area. The price of milk will be increased from sixpence to eightpence a gallon if it is necessary to use road transport. Arrangements have been made to call up special constables.

A battalion of the Cheshire Regiment has arrived at Cardiff, but no troops will be moved to the coal fields unless an emergency arises. The Atlantic Fleet is due to leave Portsmouth on Tuesday for summer exercises. The Fleet is awaiting the Admiralty’s orders. Newspapers generally point out that a general strike is not a new experiment, for it has been tried and it has always failed, and emphasising the fact that four million trade unionists are arraying themselves against more than forty million of the general community.