(c) crown copyright
Catalogue Reference:CAB/23/9
Image Reference:0010
[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majestys Government.]
Printed
for the War Cabinet.
February
1919.
SECRET.
W A R
Minutes
CABINET,
of a Meeting of the War Cabinet,
on Friday,
January
523.
held at 1 0 , Douming
Street,
S.W.,
3 1 , 1 9 1 9 , at 3 P.M.
Present:
T h e R i g h t Hon.
T h e R i g h t Hon. S i r
A.. B O N A R L A W ,
E. GEDDES,
ALP. (in the
Chair.
G.B.E.,
G.C.B., M.P.
T h e following w e r e a l s o p r e s e n t :
T h e R i g h t Hon. t h e V I S C O U N T M I L N E R ,
G.C.B., G.C.M.G., S e c r e t a r y of S t a t e for
the Colonies.
T h e R i g h t Hon. W . S . C H U R C H I L L , M.P.,
S e c r e t a r y of S t a t e for W a r (for M i n u t e s
1-6).
M a j b r - G e n e r a l C. F . R O M K R , C.B., C.M.G.,
W a r Office (for Minutes 1-6).
M a j o r - G e n e r a l S i r C . H . HARINGTON, K.(
D.S.O., Deputy Chief of t h e Imperial
G e n e r a l Staff (for M i n u t e s 1 3 ) .
Major-General B. K. W .
Director of P e r s o n a l
Minutes 1 - 6 ) .
T h e R i g h t Hon. C.
P r e s i d e n t , Local
(for M i n u t e s 3 - S ) .
Sir
11.
C.
C.MG ,
S e r v i c e s (for
GUILDS,
MM)., M.P.,
Government
Board
ADDISON,
MONRO,
S e c r e t a r y , Local
(for M i n u t e s 7, 8 ) .
EC.C.B., Permanent
Government
Board
I
T h e R i g h t Hon
the
EARL
OF READING,
G.C.B., K.C.V.O., K . C .
T h e R i g h t Hon. W . L O N G , M . P . , F i r s t
Lord of t h e A d m i r a l t y (for M i n u t e s 1 - 6 ) .
T h e R i g h t Hon. E . S . S H O R T T , K . C . , M . P ,
S e c r e t a r y of S t a t e for H o m e Affairs (for
Minutes 1 - 8 ) .
T h e R i g h t Hon. S i r A. S T A N L E Y , M . P . ,
P r e s i d e n t , Board of T r a d e (for M i n u t e s
-1-6).
T h e R i g h t Hem. S i r A. C . G E D D E S , K . C . B . ,
M.P.. M i n i s t e r of R e c o n s t r u c t i o n a n d
N a t i o n a l S e r v i c e (for M i n u t e s 1 - 9 ) .
T h e R i g h t Hon. S i r R. S . HORNE, K . B . E . ,
K . C . , M i n i s t e r of L a b o u r (for M i n u t e s
1-6).
S i r D. J . S H A C K L E T O N ,
Secretary, Ministry
Minutes L-6).
Permanent
L a b o u r (for
K.C.B.,
of
T b e R i g h t Hon. R. M U N R O , K . C . , M . P . ,
S e c r e t a r y for S c o t l a n d (for M i n u t e s 1 - 8 ) .
T h e R i g h t Hon. .1. A. C L Y D E , K . C . , M . P . ,
L o r d A d v o c a t e , S c o t t i s h Office (for
Minutes 1 - 6 ) .
T h e L i g h t Hon. J . I. M A C P H E K S O N , M . P . ,
Chief S e c r e t a r y for I r e l a n d (for M i n u t e s
1-8).
M r . T H O M A S J O N E S , Acting
Secretary.
Lieutenant-Colonel L.
STOKE, C . B . ,
Assistant
Captain L. F.
Assistant
Secretary.
[826]—114
.
Secretary.
M r . G . M. E V A N S , Assistant
BURGIS,
'
Secretary.
B
2
Industrial Unrest.
Strike Situation
in Glasgow and
Belfast.
1. W i t h reference t o W a r C a b i n e t 5 2 2 , M i n u t e 1, t h e C h i e f
S e c r e t a r y for I r e l a n d s a i d t h a t a s r e g a r d s t h e s i t u a t i o n in B e l f a s t h e
h a d received a t e l e g r a m from L o r d F r e n c h s a y i n g t h a t the s i t u a t i o n
w a s s a t i s f a c t o r y a s far a s it could be. T h e w o r k m e n h a d formed a
" S o v i e t " Committee, and this committee had received forty-seven
a p p l i c a t i o n s from s m a l l t r a d e r s for permission to use l i g h t .
There
w e r e , h o w e v e r , s i g n s which i n d i c a t e d t h a t t h e s t r i k e w o u l d not be
of l o n g d u r a t i o n .
W i t h r e g a r d to t h e s i t u a t i o n in G l a s g o w t h e M i n i s t e r of L a b o u r
said t h a t his l a t e s t information w a s to t h e effect t h a t a c r o w d h a d
m e t in front of t h e M u n i c i p a l B u i l d i n g s in order t o r e c e i v e the
G o v e r n m e n t s r e p l y to t h e Lord P r o v o s t ' s t e l e g r a m . H e h a d no
d e t a i l s , b u t understood t h a t foot a n d m o u n t e d police h a d c h a r g e d
t h e crowd in order to quell a riot a n d c a s u a l t i e s had r e s u l t e d .
T h e S e c r e t a r y for S c o t l a n d said t h a t , in his opinion, i t w a s
more clear t h a n ever t h a t it was a m i s n o m e r to call t h e s i t u a t i o n in
Glasgow a strike—it was a Bolshevist rising.
I t w a s , he t h o u g h t ,
of l i m i t e d dimensions in n u m b e r s if not in effect. H e w o u l d p u t
t h e m a l c o n t e n t s a t 1 0 , 0 0 0 , a n d t h i s w a s an outside figure.
There
w a s no doubt t h a t public opinion w o u l d support t h e G o v e r n m e n t
in q u e l l i n g a n y disorder. F u r t h e r , t h e r e w a s a feeling of r e s e n t ­
m e n t on the p a r t of m a n y who w i s h e d to r e t u r n to work t h a t t h e y
w e r e p r e v e n t e d from doing so. T h e crisis would probably be r e a c h e d
t o - d a y . T h e S e c r e t a r y for S c o t l a n d a d d e d t h a t he had r e c e i v e d
information from the office of t h e Commissioner of the Police to t h e
effect t h a t t h e s t r i k e g a v e t h e a p p e a r a n c e of b r e a k i n g up a t a n
e a r l y d a t e , a n d t h a t t h e r e w a s a s t r o n g feeling a g a i n s t the l e a d e r s .
General B o n i e r s t a t e d t h a t t h e n e c e s s a r y orders h a d been
g i v e n t o t h e G.O.C., S c o t l a n d , w i t h r e g a r d to the movement of
troops. A n officer h a d been s e n t to t h e h e a d q u a r t e r s of t h e
S c o t t i s h C o m m a n d l a s t n i g h t to e x p l a i n t h e situation.
The n u m b e r
of troops w h i c h could be p u t into G l a s g o w a t short notice w a s about
12,000.
The D e p u t y C h i e f of t h e I m p e r i a l G e n e r a l Staff said t h a t
6 t a n k s a n d 1 0 0 motor lorries w i t t d r i v e r s w e r e gom;. n o r t h ' 7
rail that night.
T h e Lord A d v o c a t e , w i t h r e g a r d to t h e possibility of a r r e s t i n g
a n d m a k i n g e x a m p l e s of some of t h e l e a d e r s in t h e s t r i k e , s a i d
t h a t t h e r e w e r e t h r e e possible l i n e s of" a c t i o n - f i r s t , Defence of t h e
R e a l m R e g u l a t i o n No. 1 4 , u n d e r w h i c h t h e lenders couid be d e p o r t e d
if t h e A r m y Council g a v e t h e n e c e s s a r y instructions t o a c o m p e t e n t
military authority.
Mr. C h u r c h i l l said t h a t t h e a u t h o r i t y could be g i v e n in a very­
few m i n u t e s , if n e c e s s a r y .
T h e L o r d A d v o c a t e , proceeding, s a i d t h e second course w a s to
proceed u n d e r Defence of t h e R e a l m R e g u l a t i o n No. 4 2 , a n d
a r r e s t a person with a v i e w to p r o s e c u t i o n for c a u s i n g disaffection
a m o n g t h e civil population. T h i s m i g h t be used i n the p r e s e n t
case if sufficient e v i d e n c e w a s a v a i l a b l e . T h e t h i r d course w a s to
proceed u n d e r Defence of t h e R e a l m R e g u l a t i o n No. 55, b y w h i c h
a n y police constable w a s e m p o w e r e d to m a k e a n a r r e s t if h e h a d t h e
suspicion t h a t a past act h a d been c o m m i t t e d or a f u t u r e a c t w a s
c o n t e m p l a t e d a g a i n s t t h e law. T h e r e were, however, difficulties
in t h e w a y of t h i s c o u r s e , i n a s m u c h a s m i s t a k e s m i g h t be m a d e
w h i c h w o u l d place both h i m s e l f a n d t h e Government in a n uncom­
fortable position. I n his v i e w d e p o r t a t i o n w a s p r a c t i c a l l y t h e
o n l y m e a n s of procedure if i n s t a n t a c t i o n w e r e r e q u i r e d .
T h e F i r s t L o r d s a i d t h a t he h a d r e c e i v e d s a t i s f a c t o r y n e w s from
S c o t l a n d t h r o u g h t h e N a v a l I n t e l l i g e n c e D e p a r t m e n t . T h i s w a s to
t h e effect t h a t , even i f t h e m e n w e r e p r e p a r e d to s t a n d o u t , t h e
women would not l e t t h e m . M a n y m e n w a n t e d to r e t u r n to work,
b u t were p r e v e n t e d from d o i n g so o w i n g to t h e stoppage of e l e c t r i c
power. T h e N a v a l I n t e l l i g e n c e D e p a r t m e n t also u n d e r s t o o d t h a t
t h e a g i t a t i o n was b a d l y organised,
ill-f eeling a g a i n s t t h e s t r i k e r s ' l e a d e r s .
and
­ .
there
was
widespread
T h e W a r Cabinet d e c i d e d —
T h a t for the moment no further action w a s necessary by t h e
Government.
Unrest of Troops
at Calais.
2. T h e S e c r e t a r y of S t a t e for W a r s t a t e d t h a t t h e trouble a t
C a l a i s had been m a s t e r e d . T w o divisions had been moved to t h e
area, a n d order had been restored. The three r i n g l e a d e r s would be
t r i e d b y court-martial to-morrow. The trouble had a r i s e n over t h e
r a i l w a y m e n and the O r d n a n c e Corps refusing to w o r k . These m e n
had also m a n a g e d to involve t h e troops, who were on board ship
w a i t i n g to proceed to England. H e a d d e d t h a t i t would g r e a t l y
ease disaffection of this sort in F r a n c e if we could obtain t h e use of
the R h i n e a n d the S c h e l d t Tor t h e transport of a r m e d troops to
Cologne.
Negotiations to this end were a l r e a d y t a k i n g place
through the usual diplomatic c h a n n e l s . Me feared it would t a k e
some time before the necessary permission could be o b t a i n e d . In t h e
m e a n t i m e , however, the W a r Office was m a k i n g the necessary p r e ­
parations, and the A c t i n g S e c r e t a r y for Foreign Affairs on t h e 2 3 r d
J a n u a r y h a d approved of t h i s course. It w a s important to bring a l l
possible diplomatic pressure on the H u t c h Government w i t h a v i e w
to s e c u r i n g t h e facilities a s k e d for.
The W a r Cabinet d e c i d e d —
T h a t t h e A c t i n g S e c r e t a r y of S t a t e for Foreign Affairs should
t e l e g r a p h to P a r i s informing Mr. Balfour of t h e p r e p a r a t i o n s
which the S e c r e t a r y of S t a t e for W a r w a s m a k i n g , a n d
a d d i n g t h a t unless M r . Balfour advised to t h e contrary, i t
w a s proposed to inform the Dutch G o v e r n m e n t t h a t w e
would m a k e use of the Scheldt and R h i n e .
Demands of the
Coal Miners.
3. The Minister of L a b o u r said t h a t Sir A l b e r t S t a n l e y a n d
himself had met the r e p r e s e n t a t i v e s of the coal-miners t h a t m o r n i n g
w i t h r e g a r d to their d e m a n d for a six hours' day. The d e p u t a t i o n
also d e m a n d e d exceptionally favourable demobilisation t e r m s , viz., t h a t
m i n e r s r e t u r n i n g from the forces should receive full w a g e s until t h e y
obtained employment, a n d also t h a t the men turned out of the mines
to m a k e w a y for t h e r e t u r n i n g m i n e r s from the forces should receive
s i m i l a r t r e a t m e n t until t h e y found work.
In addition t h e y a s k e d
for an a d v a n c e of 30 per cent, on t h e i r w a g e s a n d t h e n a t i o n a l i s a t i o n
of t h e m i n e s . The d e l e g a t e s h a d said t h a t unless a r e p l y on t h e
w a g e s issue w a s received b y M o n d a y trouble would ensue. I t w a s
pointed out to them, however, t h a t t h e whole w a g e question w a s
closely connected w i t h t h a t of a six-hour d a y , a n d t h e position w o u l d
be considered by t h e G o v e r n m e n t a s r a p i d l y a s possible, a n d a r e p l y
w o u l d be g i v e n if possible b y t h e end of n e x t week.
Eailway Situation.
4. S i r A l b e r t S t a n l e y e n t e r e d a t this s t a g e a n d s t a t e d t h a t
w i t h i n t h e l a s t few m i n u t e s t h e London r a i l w a y m e n h a d t h r e a t e n e d
to g o on s t r i k e on t h e following d a y . The question in d i s p u t e w a s
w h e t h e r t h e e i g h t - h o u r d a y should be i n c l u s i v e or e x c l u s i v e of m e a l ­
t i m e . T h e g e n e r a l s e t t l e m e n t a r r i v e d a t a few w e e k s a g o provided
for t h e acceptance of t h e principle of a n e i g h t - h o u r w o r k i n g - d a y
(to come into operation on t h e 1st F e b r u a r y ) , a n d i t w a s also a g r e e d
t h a t t h e rnehs conditions of service should r e m a i n u n c h a n g e d
pending negotiations.
H e then e x p l a i n e d t h e v a r y i n g conditions a s to m e a l - t i m e s on
t h e different r a i l w a y s .
T h e m e n on t h e e n g i n e s w o r k e d w h a t
t h e y called " a n all-over t i m e " of t e n , eleven, or t w e l v e hours,
taken
w h i c h m e a n t t h e w ork w a s continuous a n d t h e
on t h e engines w h e n e v e r o p p o r t u n i t y offered.
T h i s applied also to
certain s i g n a l m e n a n d s h u n t e r s . I t had been a g r e e d t h a t u n d e r t h e
e i g h t - h o u r d a y the s a m e p r a c t i c e with r e g a r d to m e a l s would be
continued. Other g r a d e s on t h e r a i l w a y , h o w e v e r , h a d a definite
t i m e " booked^ off" for m e a l s . The m e n now said t h a t unless t h e i r
d e m a n d s for inclusion of m e a l - t i m e in the e i g h t hours were conceded
t h e y w ould o n l y work e i g h t h o u r s ( m e a l - t i m e i n c l u s i v e ) a n d t h e n
cease work. H e h a d told t h e R a i l w a y E x e c u t i v e t o d i s m i s s a n y m e n
who carried out t h i s t h r e a t . M e s s r s . B r o m l e y a n d H u d s o n , the
r e p r e s e n t a t i v e s of t h e m e n ' s U n i o n s , h a d a g r e e d t h a t t h e Govern­
m e n f s i n t e r p r e t a t i o n of t h e e i g h t - h o u r - d a y w a s i n conformity w i t h
t h e a g r e e m e n t , i.e., t h a t it should be e i g h t hours' work, exclusive of
meals. The r a i i w a y m e i i were h o w e v e r , iu some m e a s u r e out of h a n d ,
a n d a l t h o u g h t h e y h a d been i n s t r u c t e d b y t h e i r l e a d e r s to observe
t h i s i n t e r p r e t a t i o n of t h e a g r e e m e n t it could not be g u a r a n t e e d , t h a t
t h e y would do so.
On t h e whole it w a s hoped t h a t , except in
London, to w h i c h he would p r e s e n t l y refer, no serious difficulty w o u l d
be experienced in t h e case of t h e l a r g e r r a i l w a y companies.
T
r
Underground.
ai waym n..
5. Sir A l b e r t S t a n l e y s t a t e d t h a t the. d r i v e r s on. t h e London
Tubes had previously h a d s o m e w h a t b e t t e r conditions of service t h a n
t h e others. T h e y b a d h a d a n i n e - h o u r s ' d a y and w e r e a l l o w e d to
t a k e t h i r t y to fifty m i n u t e s off for m e a l s , a n d these meals were not
t a k e n on the t r a i n . T h e s e m e n now a s k e d t h a t w i t h t h e e i g h t ­
h o u r s ' d a y t h e same conditions should a p p l y . I n S i r A l b e r t S t a n l e y ' s
opinion this d e m a n d s t r u c k a t t h e very principle of t h e e i g h t - h o u r s '
w o r k i n g day, a n d if t h e i r point w a s conceded it would become a
source of f u r t h e r g e n e r a l concessions. T h e m e n t h r e a t e n e d to stop
all t h e underpTound t r a i n s t h a t n i g h t .
T h e S e c r e t a r y of S t a t e for W a r said t h a t n o t h i n g would p u t
public opinion more a g a i n s t t h e s t r i k e r s t h a n a t w o or t h r e e d a y s '
s t o p p a g e on t h e t u b e s . I n his opinion t h i s w a s a most unjustifiable
demand.
T h e F i r s t Lord said t h a t a n u m b e r of e n g i n e - d r i v e r s on t h e
m a i n lines w o u l d prefer to w o r k t e n ' o r t w e l v e hours consecutively,
a s t h i s enabled t h e m to m a k e a double j o u r n e y a n d t h u s t h e y w e r e
a b l e to sleep a t t h e i r own homes ; w h e r e a s if t h e y left t h e i r engines
after e i g h t hours, it g e n e r a l l y n e c e s s i t a t e d t h e i r finding a l o d g i n g in
some t o w n a w a y from home. On t h e other h a n d , t h e e n g i n e - d r i v e r s
on t h e tube r a i l w a y s w e r e a b l e to sleep a t home e v e r y n i g h t .
Some discussion e n s u e d a s to whether, b y i n s i s t i n g t h a t t h e
m e a l - t i m e s of t h e s e m e n s h o u l d not be i n c l u d e d in t h e eight-hours'
d a y , t h e G o v e r n m e n t were not, in fact, b r e a k i n g t h e i r promise t h a t
t h e conditions of service should c o n t i n u e u n c h a n g e d .
In reply to a q u e s t i o n a s to w h e t h e r t h e Union l e a d e r s w e r e
s u p p o r t i n g t h e G o v e r n m e n t in t h e i r i n t e r p r e t a t i o n of t h e a g r e e m e n t
in t h i s p a r t i c u l a r instance, S i r A l b e r t S t a n l e y s a i d he could not be
sure.
Eecognition of the
Kailway Clerks'
Association-
6. Sir A l b e r t S t a n l e y s a i d t h e r e w a s a n o t h e r m a t t e r w i t h r e g a r d
to t h e r a i l w a y s i t u a t i o n , to w h i c h he d e s i r e d to d r a w t h e W a r
C a b i n e t s attention. There was a dispute with the R a i l w a y Clerks'
Association. T h i s U n i o n i n c l u d e d a l a r g e p e r c e n t a g e of g r a d e s ,
from s t a t i o n - m a s t e r s down to l o w - g r a d e c l e r k s in booking-offices.
This Union w a s a s k i n g t h a t t h e R a i l w a y C o m p a n i e s should g i v e com­
plete recognition to it. T h e R a i l w a y E x e c u t i v e w e r e u n a n i m o u s l y
a g a i n s t conceding t h i s demand.. The R a i l w a y E x e c u t i v e w o u l d not
object to r e c o g n i s i n g a U n i o n consisting only of s t a t i o n - m a s t e r s a n d
other supervisory grades, but t h e y maintained t h a t the R a i l w a y
C l e r k s ' Association, in i n c l u d i n g s t a t i o n - m a s t e r s a n d similar g r a d e s
a s w e l l as o r d i n a r y c l e r k s , u n d e r m i n e d t h e discipline of t h e r a i l w a y .
T h e r e w o u l d be m e n o c c u p y i n g h i g h positions on t h e r a i l w a y w h o
w o u l d belong to t h e s a m e Union a s t h e m e n to whom t h e y h a d to
g i v e orders. In fact, t h e e m p l o y e r s w o u l d be in t h e same U n i o n a s
t h e e m p l o y e e s — a n impossible s i t u a t i o n .
H e s u p p o r t e d t h e R a i l w a y E x e c u t i v e in t h e position t h e y h a d
t a k e n up. H e h a d m a d e a s u g g e s t i o n , h o w e v e r , t h a t the R a i l w a y
C l e r k s ' Association should m e e t t h e R a i l w a y E x e c u t i v e a n d t r y t o
a r r i v e a t an a g r e e m e n t a s to w h i c h g r a d e s should a n d should
not be a l l o w e d to j o i n t h e i r U n i o n . T h e y had, however, refused
t h i s , a n d w e r e c a l l i n g a national conference.
S i r E r i c G e d d e s said t h a t t h i s w a s a v e r y i m p o r t a n t principle.
T h e N a t i o n a l U n i o n of R a i l w a y m e n had n e v e r claimed to s p e a k for
a n y of t h e i r m e m b e r s w h o were foremen. T h e s e men, a n d a l l w h o
h a d been promoted from n o n - s u p e r v i s o r y g r a d e s , were a l l o w e d to
r e m a i n in t h e U n i o n , b u t only for t h e purpose of r e c e i v i n g benefits.
T h e R a i l w a y C l e r k s ' Association h a d s t a r t e d y e a r s ago w i t h t h e
v e r y l o w e s t g r a d e of clerk, b u t t h e m e m b e r s found t h a t as promotion
c a m e a l o n g the R a i l w a y E x e c u t i v e , before promoting them m a d e it a
condition t h a t t h e y should resign from t h e i r U n i o n .
If t h e s e
s u p e r v i s o r y g r a d e s were now recognised in the R a i l w a y C l e r k s '
Association
it would r e s u l t in t h e T r a d e U n i o n r u n n i n g t h e
r a i l w a y . H e t h o u g h t t h e conference which S i r A l b e r t S t a n l e y ha.d
s u g g e s t e d in order to d e t e r m i n e w h i c h g r a d e s should r e m a i n in
t h e U n i o n w a s bound to fail.
In a n s w e r to a question b y Mr. B o n a r L a w a s to w h y t h e s a m e
principle w h i c h obtained in t h e N a t i o n a l U n i o n of R a i l w a y m e n ,
i.e., t h a t the men should r e m a i n m e m b e r s of a Union b u t n o t
t a k e an a c t i v e part, could not be a p p l i e d in t h i s case, S i r E r i c
Geddes replied t h a t the n u m b e r s of t h e h i g h e r g r a d e s w e r e m u c h
bigger.
It was pointed out t h a t in other i n d u s t r i e s foremen and men in
one workshop belonged to the s a m e U n i o n , a n d this h a d no d e l e t e r i o u s
effect on discipline.
S i r E r i c G e d d e s s a i d t h a t the discipline on t h e r a i l w a y s and in
'workshops w a s n e c e s s a r i l y very different. I n t h e former it had t o
be of a v e r y high order, a n d it would be impossible for s t a t i o n ­
m a s t e r s to g e t t h e i r orders observed if t h e m e n u n d e r them belonged
to t h e s a m e Union.
S i r D a v i d S h a c k l e t o n said t h a t if t h i s q u e s t i o n w a s fought out,
a n d it r e s u l t e d in the r a i l w a y c l e r k s h a v i n g to form t w o or m o r e
Unions, ail t h a t would happen would be t h a t t h e s e U n i o n s w o u l d
f e d e r a t e , a n d in t h a t w a y defeat t h e G o v e r n m e n t . In his opinion
t h e G o v e r n m e n t could not face a s t r i k e on t h e c r y t h a t it refused t o
a c k n o w l e d g e a Union.
M r . B o n a r L a w t h o u g h t t h a t t h i s s t r i k e looked less d a n g e r o u s
t h a n some of t h e o t h e r s , b u t he w o u l d not l i k e to face it if it w e r e
based on a refusal to recognise a U n i o n . H e s u g g e s t e d t h a t
S i r A l b e r t S t a n l e y m i g h t p r o t r a c t t h e n e g o t i a t i o n s , a n d in t h e m e a n ­
t i m e discuss t h e m a t t e r with t h e M i n i s t e r of Labour.
S i r A l b e r t S t a n l e y t h o u g h t t h a t o n l y compromise would r e s u l t
from such a course, a n d in t h i s case h e s a w no possibility of coin­
promise. T h e "answer h a d to be g i v e n i m m e d i a t e l y . T h e q u e s t i o n
h a d been u n d e r consideration for s e v e r a l y e a r s . H e a s k e d if t h e
G o v e r n m e n t w a s g o i n g to recognise t h i s U n i o n in face of t h e a d v i c e
g i v e n by t h e R a i l w a y E x e c u t i v e .
A t t e n t i o n Avas d r a w n to t h e fact t h a t t h e Government h a d a s k e d
t h e m a n a g e r s to e n t e r i n t o n e g o t i a t i o n s w i t h t h e m e n , and t h a t b e i n g
so t h e G o v e r n m e n t could h a r d l y d i s r e g a r d t h e policy recommended
b y the R a i l w a y E x e c u t i v e .
I t w a s i m p o r t a n t t h a t t h e Glasgow
t r o u b l e should s u b s i d e before e n t e r i n g upon a n e w conflict w i t h l a b o u r .
S i r A l b e r t S t a n l e y s a i d t h a t if we d e l a y e d action it w o u l d l e n d
i
[826]-114
/
0
e n c o u r a g e m e n t to t h e men, inasmuch t h a t t h e y - w o u l d t h i n k t h e
G o v e r n m e n t would g i v e w a y . I t w a s not a question of concessions
a n y longer. He t h o u g h t t h a t if t h i s came to a s t r i k e the m e n would
be b e a t e n , a s t h e o t h e r r a i l w a y U n i o n s would not come out in
sympathy.
S i r E r i c Geddes also t h o u g h t t h a t a s t r i k e could be faced on t h e
p r e s e n t issue.
I t w a s s u g g e s t e d t h a t a big g e n e r a l s t r i k e w a s p r o b a b l y coming
sooner or l a t e r , a n d i f a n d w h e n i t came t h e s t r i k e w o u l d be on
g r o u n d chosen b y t h e G o v e r n m e n t .
S i r A l b e r t S t a n l e y replied t h a t he d i d not t h i n k t h i s present
s t r i k e w o u l d develop i n t o t h e b i g conflict w h i c h w a s a p p r e h e n d e d .
S o m e discussion t h e n took place a s to t h e n u m b e r of s t a t i o n ­
m a s t e r s w h o now b e l o n g e d to t h e R a i l w a y C l e r k s ' Association,
b u t no information w a s a v a i l a b l e a s to t h e e x a c t n u m b e r .
L o r d R e a d i n g s a i d t h a t if t h e n u m b e r s w e r e g r e a t , t h e n t h e
point m a d e r e g a r d i n g t h e n e c e s s i t y for s t a t i o n - m a s t e r s to r e m a i n
outside the U n i o n in order to m a i n t a i n discipline w o u l d seem to be
somewhat weakened.
S i r R . H o m e s a i d t h e G o v e r n m e n t s policy w a s to s t a n d b y t h e
T r a d e U n i o n s and s u p p o r t t h e i r e x e c u t i v e a u t h o r i t y .
It was
i m p o r t a n t not to object to t h e U n i o n a s such, b u t to i n c l u d i n g
p a r t i c u l a r classes of persons in it.
S i r D a v i d S h a c k l e t o n s a i d t h a t he h a d w o r k e d both in t h e
position of a w o r k m a n and a foreman, a n d his e x p e r i e n c e w a s t h a t
both g r a d e s belonging t o the s a m e U n i o n never affected discipline,
b u t if t h e G o v e r n m e n t refused to recognise t h i s U n i o n , it w a s in
opposition to t h e i r a v o w e d policy, a n d t h e G o v e r n m e n t should not
t r y to decide who w a s a n d w h o w a s not to be in t h e U n i o n .
In
h i s opinion t h e y should t r u s t to t h e honour a n d l o y a l t y of t h e men.
Dr. A d d i s o n said t h a t he a g r e e d w i t h t h e v i e w of S i r D a v i d
S h a c k l e t o n . If a considerable portion of t h e s t a t i o n - m a s t e r s w e r e
. n o w in t h e U n i o n and i t h a d not affected t h e efficient w o r k i n g of t h e
r a i l w a y s , he could not see t h a t t h e G o v e r n m e n t h a d a case.
S i r A l b e r t S t a n l e y "pointed out t h a t t h e R a i l w a y C l e r k s '
A s s o c i a t i o n h a d been r e c o g n i s e d for t h e l a s t y e a r or t w o . T h e
d i s p u t e now w a s w h e t h e r i t should be recognised in respect of t h e
s u p e r v i s o r y g r a d e s w h o claimed to b e l o n g to it.
T h e W a r C a b i n e t decided-—
T h a t t h e G o v e r n m e n t could not a t t h e present m o m e n t i n t e r ­
fere w i t h t h e n e g o t i a t i o n s w h i c h were now going on, b u t
t h a t , if possible, S i r A l b e r t S t a n l e y should prolong t h e
n e g o t i a t i o n s u n t i l t h e P r i m e M i n i s t e r h a d been a c q u a i n t e d
w i t h t h e position.
Municipal and
other Local
Elections:
Candidates'
Expenses.
7. T h e W a r C a b i n e t h a d before t h e m a m e m o r a n d u m by t h e
P r e s i d e n t of t h e Local G o v e r n m e n t B o a r d ( G . T - 6 7 1 8 ) in respect of
c a n d i d a t e s e x p e n s e s a t m u n i c i p a l a n d other local elections, to w h i c h
w a s a t t a c h e d t h e d r a f t of a B i l l to a m e n d section 5 of t h e M u n i c i p a l
Elections (Corrupt and Illegal Practices) Act, 1 8 8 4 , by substituting
t h e w o r d s " 3 d . for e a c h e l e c t o r " for t h e words " 2 d . for each
e l e c t o r , " in t h e subsection p r e s c r i b i n g t h e m a x i m u m a m o u n t of t h e
. e x p e n s e s of a c a n d i d a t e a t m u n i c i p a l elections.
T h e P r e s i d e n t of t h e L o c a l G o v e r n m e n t B o a r d s a i d t h a t the.reasons
for a s k i n g consent of t h e G o v e r n m e n t to t h e i n t r o d u c t i o n of t h e
s a i d B i l l w e r e briefly e x p l a i n e d i n h i s m e m o r a n d u m now before t h e
W a r C a b i n e t . The amendment, h a d been u r g e d upon h i m b y t h e
L o n d o n C o u n t y Council a n d t h e C o u n t y Councils Association, a n d i t
a p p e a r e d to h i m a r e a s o n a b l e proposal, w h i c h , in h i s opinion, w o u l d
not m e e t w i t h a n y opposition. H e therefore a s k e d for permission t o
b r i n g in t h e a c c o m p a n y i n g B i l l w i t h a v i e w to its b e i n g p a s s e d a t
t h e e a r l i e s t possible m o m e n t .
Thu W ar C a b i n e t decided-—
To sanction the i n t r o d u c t i o n of t h e proposed Bill.
Local Elections in
1919.
8. The W a r C a b i n e t h a d before t h e m a M e m o r a n d u m by the
P r e s i d e n t of t h e Local G o v e r n m e n t B o a r d ( P a p e r G . T . - 6 7 2 6 ) on t h e
s u b j e c t of local elections in the y e a r 1 9 1 9 . In his M e m o r a n d u m
Dr. Addison pointed out t h a t local elections in t h e U n i t e d K i n g d o m
w o u l d be held in 1 9 1 9 for t h e first t i m e in four y e a r s . In t h e case
of t h e M u n i c i p a l B o r o u g h s a n d t h e m a j o r i t y of D i s t r i c t Councils a n d
G u a r d i a n s one-third of t h e Councillors a n d G u a r d i a n s r e t i r e e a c h
year.
I n a d d i t i o n , the A l d e r m e n , who are co-opted b y C o u n t y or
B o r o u g h Councils, a r e e l e c t e d for six y e a r s , one-half of t h e m r e t i r i n g
e v e r y t h i r d y e a r . I t a p p e a r e d d e s i r a b l e , therefore, t h a t t h e r e should
be a complete new election in 1 9 1 9 , on the g r o u n d s p a r t i c u l a r l y of
prolouged t e n u r e of office a n d t h e presence of a new e l e c t o r a t e .
A
drafc B i l l (which w a s a n n e x e d to t h e M e m o r a n d u m ) h a d been
p r e p a r e d on these lines, a l t h o u g h it w a s confined to t h e case of
Councillors a n d o m i t t e d a n y reference to A l d e r m e n , o w i n g to t h e
a n t i c i p a t e d opposition of t h e Boroughs, and t h e fact t h a t i t w a s not
possible to g e t t h e Bill passed in t i m e to affect the C o u n t y Council
Aldermen.
M r . Bonar L a w observed t h a t he t h o u g h t t h a t the opinions of
t h e local a u t h o r i t i e s s h o u l d m a i n l y d e t e r m i n e the decision of t h e
G o v e r n m e n t on t h e m a t t e r . It w a s a question which he t h o u g h t
could be referred to the H o m e Affairs C o m m i t t e e .
The W a r C a b i n e t d e c i d e d —
To refer t h i s Bill to t h e H o m e Affairs C o m m i t t e e a s soon
as t h e P r i m e M i n i s t e r h a d approved s e t t i n g it up a g a i n .
Co-ordination of
Demobilisation.
9. W i t h reference to W a r C a b i n e t 5 1 4 , M i n u t e 3, t h e W a r
C a b i n e t took note of t h e P r i m e M i n i s t e r s a p p o i n t m e n t of S i r
A u c k l a n d Geddes, a s M i n i s t e r in c h a r g e of t h e Co-ordination of
Demobilisation a n d
t h e R e h a b i l i t a t i o n of I n d u s t r y , vice
Sir
Eric Geddes.
2 , Whitehall
Gardens, S.W.
January
31, 1919.
1,
o