ENGLISH COAL STRIKE

Waikato Times, Volume 94, Issue 14770, 8 October 1921, Page 2

ENGLISH COAL STRIKE

$ THE CURTAIN LIFTED. Open acknowledgment lias beep made by Mr Herbert Smll.li, the minors’ acting-president, of the mistakes made, both by loaders and men. during the long and costly coal sloppace, lie made the admissions, 100, at Die annual coni'crene-c of Hie Miners Federation of Great Britain, held Ibis year at Llandudno Town Hall. Beginning ins review with the Stages that led t.n the stoppage, he said the lesson of the October, 1020, fight, which lasted 21 weeks and resulted in the datum line, was taken to heart by many, hut not, by all.

Thai lesson was Hint Inc economic power that Hie war gave lo (he inciuslry was not so strong in pence time. There was a fall in demand and prices, and the datum line .settlement was only of a transitory character. In Hie early part -of Hie year, while the executive was engaged in the peaceful task of trying to get a just agreement with the owners, for some equitable distribution of wages and profits, the Government decided lo decontrol Hie industry a decision which took holh sides by surprise and virtually made it impossible for negotiations to go on.

For political reasons the owners sided with the Government, though they must, have realised afterwards that for economic, reasons they - would have been wiser to support, the men in their claim for continuing control until August 31. “Poo!” Fight Was Wiasng.

Government attack was made when the miners were at their weakest, although if it had been believed possible for them to stay out for 13 weeks without funds and little outside help. Government might have modified their policy. Rut circumstances were most opportune for defeating their powerful organisation. At that early stage the leaders of the federation were lacking in vision and outlook. If they had learned the lesson of the strike of October, 1920. they would have followed entirely different tactics. Their districts should have concentrated on wages. Wh en , they decided to fight on the pool Issue he thought it was a wrong decision, and events had proved that it was wrong. , Another error was the withdrawal of the safety men from the mines. That policy also raised a storn of opposition against them. Ptjhbc sympathy, which was at first with them in their struggle, was lost as a result of it.

It also raised resentment _ among their colleagues in the triple Alliance, and was the cause of difilenUics which they could not overcome. Although the Alliance had already decided to strike with the miners on the question of a national pool, they weakened afterwards when ihey realised that they were supporting the miners in something which they themselves had not obtained. Thus, Ihe test put on the Triple Alliance was more than it could bear; and liio miners themselves never provided an opportunity for untied action on one great issue. Loaders’ Loyalty Defended. In consequence of (lie Alliance breaking, the loyally of the Federation officials had been called into ouesbon. The truth was that they warj too loyal. They were loyal to tlr.'ir colleagues in swallowing their eonvmlions and heller judgment when limy we re mil voted by the usual na cow majority vole.

if they had one regret It was that tbev were (no loyal, and had bought their loyally at a great price—the price of (he poverty and starvation of their members, and the misery of millions of their fellow-countrymen. Loaders might he accused .of undernoiTalie, action in calling off Ihe stoppage. II was infinitely preferable to do an undemocratic act in the interests of tlie members Ilian to allow empty, high-sounding formulas to intensify Hie horror and misery of their

people’s lives. Certain people of (he executive violated llfir pledges by recommending the men |o reject the offer.

As .1. result many months’ wages had gone, and in many eases life savings had gone also.

I> bind Hosed doors and in public, by circular and speech, they urged Ihe men to reje-d, tlm terms, knowing that the rest of ns would he tongue-tied by nin- loyalty to the findings oT the conference.

Light on Government’s Side. Inflammatory language was used. The forms were distorted and Ihe position was obscured. If lie had been free to advise the men in Yorkshire, the decision would have been different. Mr Frank Hodges Federation secretary). in submitting ihe report of the executive, said their light for the pool Inst them much of Ihe public sympathy they won on wages. It was regarded as a sinister scheme to secure nationalisation. Their decision to withdraw safety men also gave Ihe Government an opening for a display of military force, and on this point many members of the Triple Alliance wd’re not in sympathy vvilli them.

Transport workers and railwayman in the Alliance had decided in mil ft strike willi them for the national pool, but they wavered later, partly because of the political implications. In on interview with the Government they found that tho Cabinet was prepared to call a General Election on I lie pool issue, and they therefore urged the Federation executive to concentrate on better wages. Another (actor was the uncertainty about the strength of their own following. Discussion of the report, which was taken in private, was free from incidents. Delegates hud apparently decided to forget llm past and to concentrate on the future. There was no recriminations or attacks on officials, and it was announced ’that, following explanations, the conference had unanimously adopted the report. It was decided not immediately to appoint a successor to Mr Smiths, as president. A suggestion for a part-time president will be discussed in the districts.