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Catalogue Reference:CAB/24/179
Image Reference:0004
894
I
pT HIS DOCUiENT I S THE PR 0 P ERTY OF, HIS BRITANNIC MAJESTY'S
Is
E C R E T%
GOVERNMENT).
COPY NO:
*—
I
7X1
K .P. 195 ( 2 6 ) *
f(Uncorreoted c o p y ) .
C A B I N E T .
TERMINATION OF THE GENERAL
STRIKE.
STENOGRAPHIC NOTES of a M e e t i n g h e l d at 1 0 , Downing
S..W..1., on Wednesday, May 1 2 t h , 1926, a t 12.20
Street,
p.m.
THE FOLLOWING WERE PRESENT:-
The R t . H o n . S t a n l e y B a l d w i n ,
(Prime M i n i s t e r ) .
I.;.P.,
The R t . H o n . S i r L, V/or t h i n g t o n - E v a n s ,
( S e c r e t a r y of S t a t e f o r W a r ) .
-Bart,,
G.B.E.,
The R t . H o n . The E a r l of B i r k e n h e a d ,
( S e c r e t a r y of S t a t e f o r I n d i a ) . I
The R t . H o n . W.C.. B r i d g e m a n , M . P . ,
( F i r s t L o r d of the A d m i r a l t y ) .
The R t . H o n . N e v i l l e C h a m b e r l a i n ,
( M i n i s t e r of H e a l t h ) .
L.P.\,
The R t . H o n . S i r A r t h u r S t e e l - M a i t l a n d ,
( M i n i s t e r of L a b o u r ) .
I
Col'­ The R t . H o n . G . R . L a n e - F o x ,
(Secretary for L i n e s ) .
Sir
Horace J* W i l s o n , E . C . B . ,
( S e c r e t a r y , M i n i s t r y of
M.r.-E.A. Gowers,
(Permanent
L.P.,
M.P.,
C.B.E.,
Labour).
C.B.,
Under S e c r e t a r y ,
M r v T.. J o n e s ,
(Deputy S e c r e t a r y ,
Bart.,
Cabinet
Mines
Department),
Offices).
THE TRADES UNION CONGRESS GENERAL COUNCIL.
Mr. Arthur
Nr. A.B.
Nr.
Pugh
Swales
W.M.'Citrine
(And
(Chairman).
(Vice-Chairman).
(Acting
General
other-Members).
Secretary)
M .P . ,
10 Downing
Street.
pp.I
S.v7 l.
12.20. p.m.
f
12.5.26.
: i ^ i S T JR. - . . r . :.ugh, w i l l
$Q-J)
Bo
enough
you Toe g o o d
t o make a st at enent ?
;IR. PuGh;
V/ell
over
a w e e k age
it
both
sides
the u l t i m a t e
that
t h i s matter
was
clearly
both
had i n v i e w ,
whew we
end w o u l d
and a l l
t h e y must h a v e h a d ,
end.
./e, o f
despite whatever
e v e r y b o d y h a s had t o
and t o u s e
direct
resumption
opinion
of
that
c o n t r i b u t i o n was made
the
country
in
the
side
position
lasted
long run t h e p r o c e s s
through.
well,
of
other
might
of
negotiations
an
assurance,
corn-unity
citizens
unturned t o
get
to
this
say t h a t
in order
that
may p r o c e e d i n
back
be
its
channel
speaking
to
negotiations,
strike
is
that
to
may p r o c e e d
a manner w h i c h w i l l
and
effecting
sir,
pn t h e
with
long
the
be
in that
for
the
no s t e p s
present
in
the
gone
direction
should be
today,
left
sir,
forthwith
and we can o n l y
a
other
general
be t e r m i n a t e d
about
something
to
we a r e h e r e
brin,
people
full
consequences
back
a
your
T h a t was
ignore.
in g e t t i n g
a whole,
negotiations
that
w o u l d have t o
as
general
had
d e l i v e r e d - t o the
developments
t h a t we s e e
of
a
place,
possibilities
and t h e p o s s i b i l i t i e s
your
to
have
stations.
negotiations
as a r e s u l t
!
in
h a p p e n e d and h o w e v e r
or w h a t e v e r
have
arrangements
respect,
could not
been
parties
a view to
statement
certainly
that whatever
has
as p r e s e n t e d , t h e m s e l v e s
In that
of
since
trouble
thoughts
on
place
yourself,
existed with
hand we h a d b e e n e x p l o r i n g
knowledge
tils
through t h e w i r e l e s s
w h i c h we on our
and a l l
like
their
negotiations.
taken
m i g h t h a v e taicen
such, o p p o r t u n i t i e s
such p u b l i c
of
course,
developments
conflict
the u l t i m a t e
t h a t w o u l d h a v e t o b e made t o b r i n g
successful
he a s e t t l e m e n t
have
aides
something
and. e x p r e s s e d
and a l t h o u g h t h e
and d e v e l o p m e n t s
sides
separated
course r e c o g n i s e d
by n e g o t i a t i o n s
v e r y much e x t e n d e d
then
of
sir,
hope
satisfactory
settlement.
is
That i s
empowered t o
the
announcement w h i c h my G e n e r a l
make.
PRIME MIli.TST.iiLR:
t o he
called
of
is
is
effect
in
way t o
just
get
about
what i t
the
means.
done w i t h
o f work
to that
is
for
I
only
say now I
in the
both
do n o t
last
think
accept
is
have
shall
to
and I
t h e two
ensure
possible before
to
r e s p o n s i b i l i t y we
to
not be
a day or
difficulty
of the m e r i t s
agreement
that
t e n minutes
start
two o r
of the
things
ago
would
say
and I w o u l d
lengthy
fully
report
to
in using
together
answer
only
all
I have
I
said
I
them what
shall
you
endeavour
and do a l l
of
say
discussion,
every
I
or
hope
I
it
can
may
the l i n e s
two o f
be v e r y b r i e f .
answer u s ,
thing
sure t h e b i g
be
on w h i c h
satisfied
right,
dispute
us w i s h t o
in
as
the
t h i n g w o u l d be r e s p o n d e d
all
too w e l l
but w h a t e v e r
now e n d i n g
to r e c t i f y
road
that just
accepting
again.
that
it
dislocation
may be t h e
there
from t h o s e who w e r e
essential
say
You a n s w e r e d us
namely,
a week, i n w h i c h t h e
on t i r e r i g h t
best
end.
will
assistance
is
I
settlement.
done a b i g
felt
can b e put
for
O n l y one
We a r e
i n a b i g way.
All
decision
parties
i n t h e way we knew you w o u l d
you r e c o g n i s e we h a v e
o 1 the
in
no t i m e
that
you and i t
a matter
that
do.'
t o make a s t a t e m e n t
MR, THOMAS:
anything
merely
but
o f my b r o a d c a s t e d m e s s a g s .
lose
accomplish
immediately.
arrangement,
and c o n f i r m
and l a s t i n g
long
means
a great
forthwith,
contending
a just
we h o p e t o
is
confusion.
a moment
two p a r a g r a p h s
together
to get
strike
I mean t h e r e w o u l d be
your
fully
c a l l my C a b i n e t
said
is
the least
o f us t o
it
That
It
I t h a n k God f o r
now,
the general
actual
PRII.RC M I N I S T E R :
deal
is
Forthwith.
a point
it
That
forthwith?
MR. PUGH:
There
Council.
B.
is
and
view
common
opposing
and. make g o o d
Your
will
parties
and
assistance
in
that.) i s
necessary
to g i v e
it
our
3
assistance
and i n d o i n g t h a t
you t o h e l p us i n t h a t
and I
is
ended.
direction
ask you t o
assist
asking
employers
We t r u s t
us i n
and smooth as p o s s i b l e
guerilla
sides have t o
than t h a t
your word
great
intend
can h e l p .
liked
t h e w o r d war
y o u r h e l p when
only
can a s s i s t
avoided
and i n
us
right
in a d i f f i c u l t
We
by
as
that
Nothing
easy
as a g e n e r a l
moment
for
desire
the
have
both
could be
d e c i s i o n w h i c h we h a v e t a k e n
than
this
as P r i m e M i n i s t e r .
immediately.
otherwise
We want
o n e t h i n g we must n o t
T h a t must b e
0
never
but we w a n t
because the
interpreted
thing
I
you
We
o t h e r s t o make t h e p o s i t i o n
contribute
this
-
t h e way joix
and a l l
i s -garixiba w a r f a r e
necessary.
we b e l i e v e
do n o t w a n t t o u s e i t ,
dispute
is
worse
should be
to
do t h e
industry
of
the
nation.
1IR. BE V P N :
difficulties
great
risk
we h a v e h a d b e f o r e
in
calling
not b e r e g a r d e d
strengths
I
but r a t h e r
that
halpe d o n e .
you
as an a c t
it
as h e a d o f
be g i v e n
of
strength
you
Government
The p o s i t i o n
Associations which
country.
confusion,
declaration
affected,
it
but
would
no doubt h a v e b e e n
if
I
goes
you
think
acting
at
one
to take
point
must
of
and b r a w n
the l i n e
we
and ask you
that., f a c i l i t i e s
and t h a t
is
of
out
could
this.
course,
are g e t - a t - a b l e ,
When t h i s
rather
it
a
if
a r e p r e p a r e d t o make a g e n e r a l
forthwith.
are
the
t o urge
o f muscle
courage
reinstatement
that
but
in
we h a v e t a k e n
I want
s t r e s s Iir.Thomas'a
the
agree
least
o f weakness
for
undertakings
untold
to
at
off.
a little
us whether
eady f a c i l i t i e s
the
took
I want
us,
the strike
am n o t t a l k i n g
could t e l l
request
I t h i n k you w i l l
in
of thing
Some o f
are
otherwise
shall
the
affected
by
are
all
over
it
may
cause
the Press
a g r e e w i t h us t o make a
facilitate
least
kind
etcetera,
in
matters
carrying
and
employers
out t h e
spirit.
Be
o f t h e Government
during the
t o a statement
no doubt r e s p o n d
put
it
t o you v e r y
ways o f d o i n g
t o you i s t h i s o
production
and i f
there
is
If
0
I remember
for
are
that
v e r y much,
that
one o f t h e
I want
of this
does
into
of transport
was
it
very
quite w i l l i n g
the war,
to
footing
affect
like
as much as t h e e m p l o y e r b
that
kind
of
some i n d i c a t i o n
b e c a u s e we s h a l l
have t o
way g i v e t h e l e a d
show o f f
to give
you w e r e g o i n g
effect
a just
I
a resumption
be resuming
o f whether
o f t h e mining
the n e g o t i a t i o n s
call
settlement.
am o v e r t s e p p i n g
me an i d e a
to
t o Unions
i s t o be
the
are
as a
left
direction
whose
converse
would
in a
approached.
You
together
how we h a v e , c a l l e d our
pretty
quickly,,
I
do n o t
but I w o u l d l i k e
means t h a t
on w h i l e
0
of
there
you
i s t o be
o p e r a t i o n s w i t h us or whether
have t o be c a r r i e d
cent
but we
we
the parties
t h e bounds
that
per
in that
from y o u r s e l f
a3 t o how t h e t h i n s
and w o r k w i l l
know w h e t h e r
to u s b e f o r e
send t e l e g r a m s
a declaration
loss
and I
a r e not i n L o n d o n w i t h whom we cannot
and c o u p l i n g w i t h i t
Sir
you i s s u e d t h a t
if
to
restoration,,
kind
feeling
the b u i l d i n g
order
the
but t h e e m p l o y e r s
s
helpful
in
very
thingSj
I t would be v e r y
also
trades
and t h e
statement.
we c o u l d h a v e
does
our men t o r e p a i r
am s u r e t h e y w o u l d r e s p o n d t o y o u i f
sir,
it
twenty-five
does upset
it
feeling
We do n o t w a n t t h a t
co-operate with
t h e p e o p l e who can f a c i l i t a t e
said,
put
character
carefully
something
We h a v e h a d a r o w and i t
headquarters
to
of good
would
easiest
i n producing
especially
i s not then i t
would
and I
t h e 1912 S t r i k e when we w e r e b e a t e n
after
damage j u s t
is
g e t s b a c k on t o i t s u s u a l
there
and t h e y
character
a resumption withs a sort
some time^, u n t i l
thing.
of that
One o f t h e r e a s o n s
Joseph Broodbank went
i n output
naturally
In a dislocation
affect
rapidly
strongly
things.
then t h e t h i n g
fight
the miners
all
still
f? Q Q
w o w
Bo
r e m a i n out
0
Lfflo THOMAS:
s p e e c h t o mean what
personally
you h a v e t o
event o f
to play
take
it
It
­
of
to be f r e e
did.
course
it
negotiation
of
the
and i f
it
is
are
still
g o i n g t o make
running of
t o put t o
out
it
the machine
extremely
at t h i s m e e t i n g
you w e r e g o i n g
statement
to r a i s e
of
consider
0
quicker
that
my r e c o r d .
is
felt
in
the
that
going
it
was
the p a r t i e s
very
cannot go back
if
to
are
still
get
out
a smooth
two p o i n t s
I
wish
it
at
do i s
c o n s i d e r what h a s b e e n
shall
the t r a d e
and a h a p p i e r
country
want t o
see
want y o u r s t o
and t r y
b e my s t e a d y e n d e a v o u r
for
your
has
and I
is
I think
there w i l l
one
i
only
as
that
the
be,
You know
and I
said w i t h
think. yoS
a view
q u i c k l y back
try
beyond
as q u i c k l y
You w i l l
to
into
the
want my
ana make g o o d
and make t h i s
plac^. t h a n i t
when we a r e t h r o u g h t h i s
t o get
it.
points
I would
once,
o f my p o l i c y
say
said
y o u h a v e put
friction
the
cannot
n o t know w h a t
employers,,
object
can g e t
I
anything w o u l d be
to
done t h e l e s s
and I
damage done t o
That w i l l
when
going
0
The p o i n t
thing
i n which we a l l
co-operation
better
occasion.
y o u we w e r e
ur Bevin,
did
consider
You know t h e
me t o
I
that
touch w i t h t h e
s e e i n g how b e s t we
condition
or
and I v / i l l
into
may t r u s t
really
colliers
the
Well,
now,
Pugli.
say i n my v i e w t h e b e s t
possible
I
difficult
Those are
0
your
you.
more h e r e
must
-
with
the
t o the
difficult
our p e o p l e
PRIMS MINISTER:
the
so
assuring
s p e e d i l y because thousands
colliers
is
rise
our p e o p l e b a c k
and u n f e t t e r e d
we i n t e r p r e t
raean,
conversing
the l e a d in
t h e game and put
that
h e l p e d us t o
without
our- t a k i n g
implies
am s u r e i t
BjtGVIif:
mi.
I thought
I
That
country
a
the
little
been i n r e c e n t
years.
look
you
to
co-operation
all
in
of
that,,
I
shall
do my p a r t
regard to
the
and. I h a v e no doubt
second point
moment w h a t w i l l
happen because
parties o
My o b j e c t ,
the
moment
first
cannot
say u n t i l
of
possible
I
have
on me and r e l y
is left
unturned t o
said before^
great
deal
again
I
course,
be upon w h i c h my o b j e c t
rely
there
is
and g e t
to
sooner y o u g e t
to
do y o u r s
cannot
get
can b e s t
be a t t a i n e d ,
accomplish
that
that
Ebw
a great
and d i f f i c u l t
work
your work.and t h e
I
the
will
but
3
lines
y o u may
s e e no
Mr Pugh
0
deal t o
and I
step
as
3
I
do and a
tliink
I get
sooner
started
reached,,
they w i l l
end,
this
the
t h e mines
an a g r e e m e n t
Cabinet
see
In
0
say at
have to
s e e n them e x a c t l y what
on t h e
anxious
I
shall
we h a v e b o t h o f us g o t
of
you w i l l
to
that
the
mine'the
better,
MR, HIGH:
t h e moment
Yesy
I
t o t a k e up y o u r t i m e ,
two p o i n t s
am a l i t t l e
but
may b e t h a t w h a t e v e r
Commons may b e t h e b e s t
at
t h e moment w h e t h e r
or meet
is
shall
again,
place
I
persistento
I
we b e m e e t i n g
on
cannot
say t h a t , ,
decision
I
not
these
the better
0
say i t '
I
t h i n g w o u l d be to
but we a r e g o i n g t o
consider
right
Downing S t r e e t ,
siWolo
1 2 t h May, * 1926
0
then
I
c
t h e House
cannot
do i t
terminated)
of
say
there
away what
best.
c
do
-r Beviii
come t o
in which to
(The p r o c e e d i n g s
TO
for
soon?
PRIME M I N I S T E R :
think i t
sums up t h e p o s i t i o n
0
MR, B E V I N :
want
that