New Britain herald., 1926-05-03
Government Is stcadfast

the government ndu summary ended the pourparlers before giv- ing the trades unionists time to in vestlgate the alleged overt acts, which included a walkout by the printers Of the Daily Mail, who took exception to and refused to set Up an editorial on the strike entitled For King and Country" and declaring that "a general strike cannot be tolerated by any civilized government"
 WalI<out Nearly Complete
 At midnight tonight the general strike is to begin with the tying up of all of the transport services, eX- cept those dealing with foodstuffs, and several other industries. While lit seems apparent that some of the trades unions will not immediately join the walllout, it is understood that about 410,00O railway mon, 6G.- 900 railway clerks, 30o.00O builders, S3O.00 transport workers, 60,0Q0 seamen, 12O thousand printers, 1oo.- GOO iron workers and 25,0o0 electri- cians will cease work. As far as can be learned at present the postal and Photographic workers will continue al their jobs.
 To meet the emergency the gov- ernment has made what the public is informed are elaborate prcpara- tions. The country is divided into ten districts. each under q civil commissioner with large staffs of officials. These. in the name Of the government, will assume complete control Of public necessities. Unions Proposals
 Tt apparently follows that inc trade union proposals 10 run food trains and transport other neccssi- ties will not be considered. "The work of looking after inc nation is the government work" said an of- fcial today. Anyone who wishes to assist is perfectly entitled 10 do so, but only as q private citizch and under the direction of the various civil commissioners.
 War Time Rationing. | A SNSlFIll bl lu lt'lIItls-' Nl''llAfN' that of war time, will be established especially as regards fuel and light Persons who have five hundred. weight of coal in their cellars vii not be allowed more until their pres cnt supply is exhausted. Then the! will be permitted 10 have only on' hundredweight weekly. Their gat and electric supplies also will be cur tailed. Foodstuffs probably will b' rationed and the public, 10 some OK tent will renew their acquaintance with the restrictions they were mdc during the war. The nation how ever, has been bidden to banisl anxiety.
 There is no need for anxiety, anc 1 still less for panic" declared a gov ernment official today. If the pub lie will carry out Loyalty and unset fishly the government regulations re garding food, coal and oil, refrain from hoarding and face the situation icouragcously, their comfort and con venience will be safeguarded.'
 The government today opened sta tions where private citizens may en roll as volunteers in the publi service. Everybody had been invite, to lend hand. Numerous men anc women started volunteering Sunday and it is said large numbers of then already are enrolled.
 Hyde Park Closed.
 One outward sign which will i'm press Londeners is the closing o Hyde Park for use as a depot 10 the governments milk distribution service. The park, which is London nearest equivalent to Central Park in New York, is surrounded by hig railings, and all the entrances wer closed and locked last night, eXcep for lorries bringing in milk,
 The situation in the printing In dustry is not quite clear.
 The latest statement, however, that the special agreement betvee the men and newspapers that ba strike or a lockout except with fortnights notice. are not eftcctiv in the present case, and that th printers will cease work at midnight This will mean that there will b no newspapers during the strike The government is prepared 10 mee this difficulty by taking over tn broadcasting service from the trans mission of news and possibly ais will issue daily printed news bullo tin.
 Throughout Sunday there wa great activity both in governmer circles in Downing street and q headquarters of the trades unio congress. Two lengthy cabinet com cils were held at which Premie Baldwin gave resumes of the negot ations with the workers on Satul day night. The council Of the trade union congress was In session most the entire day. Late ill th afternoon @ committee Of the work CTS went to Downing street and cor ferred with the prime minister. Kin George was minutely informed ( the progress of affairs. It was ar nounced during the day that th sending Of troops into the minin region was only a precautionar measure. Reports from the coi fields showed no indication of dis order,
 Lockout Is Claimed.
 It was late last night that th council Of the trades union congreS issued a manifesto blaming the min owners for locking out the miner and the government for it's failur : to make acceptable proposals to CT able tho mining industry to continu