The British Worker. No. 5

              THE
BRITISH WORKER
OFFICIAL STRIKE NEWS BULLETIN
Published by The General Council of the Trades Union Congress
No. 5.   SUNDAY EVENING, MAY 9, 1926.   PRICE ONE PENNY
CREATING PANIC
Why the Financial Secretary to the Treasury, Mr. Ronald McNeill, imagines that "the country is nearer to actual civil war than it has been for centuries" he does not explain in the letter making this statement which he has sent to his constituents at Canterbury.
Either he is in a foolish, inexcusable state of panic himself, or he is deliberately attempting to create panic in other people. There is no justification whatever for his alarmist and very reprehensible phrase. There is not, there never has been, any thought of civil war in Trade Unionists' minds. Mr. McNeill should be prosecuted for spreading false news and unwarrantably disturbing the public mind.
Here is another example of the desire to spread the belief that "the country is in danger." A convoy of 140 flour and other food lorries was taken yesterday from the London docks to Hyde Park.
For no reason whatever except to delude the public mind, the Cabinet gave these lorries ten " escort " of sixteen armoured cars, cavalry and mounted police. There was no risk of attack whatever. The lorries were as safe as ordinary traffic is at ordinary times.
The object of making this ridiculous, unnecessary demonstration was clear. It was to make people afraid, by making them believe that strike has violent revolutionary aims.
A London magistrate referred on Saturday to the right of every Briton to work when and how he will so long as he observes the law. This, he said, the great bulk of the people are determined to maintain.
Obviously this carries with it the right to stop working "when and how we will, so long as we observe the law." That is the right which Trade Unionists have exercised. The magistrate didn't mean to give us a testimonial. We thank him for it all the same.
EIGHT OPTIMISTS
The Newhaven boat train on Saturday morning contained only eight passengers.
WEATHER 
Wind N. to N.W., light or moderate: mainly fair, but local showers; somewhat less cold by day.
Our Reply to Mr. Baldwin's Broadcast
The workers must not be misled by Mr. Baldwin's renewed attempt last night to represent the present strike as a political issue. The trade unions are fighting for one thing, and one thing only - to protect the miners' standard of life.
The General Council never broke off negotiations. This was done by the Cabinet upon an isolated and unauthorised incident at a most promising stage of the discussion.
The General Council is prepared at any moment to resume those negotiations where they have left off. It has been urged to do so by the united churches of the country, led by the Archbishop of Canterbury. But this appeal was withheld from the nation by the Broadcasting Company. Why?
The Prime Minister pleads for justice. He can get justice by going back to the Friday before the mineowners' lock-out notices took effect and recreating the atmosphere of hope which then prevailed.
He complains at the economic loss to the country caused by the strike. Resumption of negotiations would end that loss which, by now, must reach far larger proportions than were involved in meeting the miners' demand that they be informed what reorganisation of the industry meant BEFORE they considered revision of wages.
The General Council has never closed any door that might be kept open for negotiation. It has done nothing to imperil the food supplies; on the contrary, its members were instructed to co-operate with the Government in maintaining them. No notice has been taken of this offer.
The Prime Minister pleads for peace, but insists that the General Council is challenging the Constitution. That is untrue.
The General Council does not challenge one rule, law, or custom of the Constitution; it asks only that the miners be safeguarded. In the words of the Report itself, no revision of wages should be made until there is 
"acceptance by all parties of such measures of reorganisation as will secure to the industry a new lease of prosperity leading to higher wages." 
And again:
"Before any sacrifices are asked from those engaged in the industry, it shall be definitely agreed between them that all practicable means for improving its (the mining industry) organisation and increasing its efficiency should be adopted, as speedily as the circumstances in each case allow."
The Prime Minister knows this, since every trade union leader who has taken part in the negotiations has insisted upon it. If Mr. Baldwin wants to prove, as he says he does, his zeal for the community, let him, instead of talking about fights to a finish, get back to the one path by which, in his own words, we can "secure even justice between man and man."
STRIKERS AT ABBEY
On the invitation of the Dean of St. Albans, and with the cordial sympathy of the Bishop, the whole of the organised workers on strike at St. Albans marched in procession to the Abbey, where they attended divine service.
BALDWIN TO BLAME
Both the Spectator (Conservative) and the New Statesmen (Ind.) blame Mr. Baldwin for breaking off negotiations and presenting the Trade Union Movement with an ultimatum, thus causing the strike.
GENERAL PUBLIC BACKS STRIKE
Revelations on a Road Tour to the West
CHEERS FOR MINERS
By Our Special Representative
I have just returned to London after a road tour to the West and back. In between the towns along the familiar Bath Road there was little to suggest that the wheels of British industry had slowed down and were almost stopped.
If anything, the private motor traffic on the road was more than usual; but the rural population seemed to be little affected. Yet the results of the stoppage were in and near even the smallest of the towns.
Along the Kennett Valley, where railway and road run parallel for miles, I missed the frequent roar and smoke of passing trains; on the outskirts of Bath and Reading I missed the tram-
LEVY YOURSELVES IF AT WORK!
The General Council requires that all workers who are still in service or employment shall contribute 5 per cent. of their wages to the Strike Fund.
This levy should be remitted to the General Council through the Headquarters of the Unions concerned.
Other contributions should be sent to X2, Trades Union Congress, 32, Eccleston-square, London, S.W.1.
cars; along the downs, between Marlborough and Calne, I looked in vain for the local buses that serve Avebury — once a metropolis, now a hamlet.
In nearly all of the little towns was at least one bank on which building work was at a standstill. It is surprising how many corner sites in those towns are being acquired for bank premises.
Reading was my first stop. The response of the workers to the strike call had been magnificent; but what struck me most was the method and order that prevailed at the Strike Committee's headquarters. Next I called at Newbury, a pleasant Berk-
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Published for the General Council of the Trades Union Congress by Victoria House Printing Company, 2, Carmelite-street, London, E.C.4.  Telephone (8 lines) : 8210 City
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