(c) crown copyright
Catalogue Reference:CAB/23/9
Image Reference:0016
[This Document is tke Pregerty of His Britannic Majestys Government]
Printed
for the War Cabinet.
February
1919.
SECRET.
WAR
Minutes
of a Meeting
CABINET,
of the War Cabinet,
on Friday,
February
529.
held at 1 0 , Doioning
7, 1 9 1 9 , at 12
Street,
S.W.,
noon.
Present:
T h e R i g h t Hon. A . B O X A R
The
Right
Hon. t h e
EARL
CURZON OF
LAW,
M.P.
(in the
T h e R i g h t Hon. A .
Chair).
CHAMBERLAIN.
M.P.
KEDLESTON, K G . , G.C.S.I., G.C.I. E.
T h e following w e r e also present :
T h e R i g h t Hon. W . L O N G , ALP., First
Lord of t h e A d m i r a l t y (for Minute 7 ) .
T h e R i g h t Hon. E. 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.
T h e R i g h t Hon. 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 Reconstruction a n d
National Service.
Sir
T h e R i g h t Hon. R . M u n r o , K . C . , ALP.,
S e c r e t a r y for S c o t l a n d .
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 , B o a r d of T r a d e .
T h e R i g h t Hon. S i r R. S . H O R N E , K . B . E . ,
K . C . , M.P., M i n i s t e r of Labour.
S i r D. J . S H A C K L E T O N , K . C . B . , P e r m a n e n t
of L a b o u r (for
Secretary, Ministry
Minute 6 ) .
HAMAR
GREENWOOD,
Bart., M.P.,
U n d e r - S e c r e t a r y of S t a t e for Home
Affairs (for M i n u t e s 1 , 2, 3, 4 , a n d 5 ) .
S i r G U Y C A L T H R O P , Bart.,
Controller (for M i n u t e 6).
M.P., Coal
Sir A. NIMMO, Coal Controller^
m e n t (for M i n u t e 6 ) .
Hepart-
M r . I I . J . W I L S O N , C.B.E., S e c r e t a r y
C o m m i t t e e on P r o d u c t i o n (for M i n u t e 6 ) .
Mr. T H O M A S J O N E S , Acting
Secretary.
M r . P E M B R O K E W I C K S , Assistant
Lieutenant-Colonel L.
[826]—190
STORR,
Secretary.
C . B . , Assistant
Secretary.
B
Miners'Claims:
Spokesman of
Government in
Labour Disputes.
1. T h e W a r C a b i n e t h a d before t h e m a j o i n t m e m o r a n d u m
by t h e S e c r e t a r y of S t a t e f r Home Affairs, t h e President, of the
board of T r a d e , and t h e M i n i s t e r of L a b o u r ( P a p e r G . T . - 6 7 4 5 ) ,
upon t h e m i n e r s ' c l a i m s for an a d v a n c e in wagi-s, a r e d u c t i o n in
hours, & c , a n d a note by t h e A c t i n g S e c r e t a r y of t h e W a r C a b i n e t
( P a p e r G . T . - 6 7 5 0 ) , w i t h reference 10 t h e a b o v e m e m o r a n d u m .
T h e P r e s i d e n t of t h e Board of Tra^e said t h a t t h e position
briefly w a s a s follows : An a p p l i c a t i o n h a d b e e n mnde by t h e M i n e r s '
F e d e r a t i o n - f o r an i n c r e a s e d w a g e , a n d also to t h e P r i m e M i n i s t e r
for a 6-hours' d a y and nationalisation of m i n e s a n d m i n e r a l s ,
which l a t t e r r e q u e s t h a d been referred to t h e M i n i s t e r of
L a b o u r , w h o h a d conferred w i t h t h e S e c r e t a r y of S* a t e for Home
a f f a i r s , himself, a n d (he E x e c u t i v e C o m m i t t e e of t h e M i n e r s '
F e d e r a t i o n , a n d t h e y h a d a g r e e d t h a t it w a s d e s i r a b l e t h a t t h e s e
v a r i o u s questions should be s e t t l e d at one a n d t h e s a m e time.
The m i n e r s w e r e now a w a i t i n g a r e p l y from t h e Coal Controller
and S i r R o b e r t Horne's C o m m i t t e e . I n r e p l y to a question by
Mr. B o n a r L a w ;is to which D e p a r t m e n t should be responsible for
n e g o t i a t i n g w i t h t h e M i n e r s ' F e d e r a t i o n , S i r Albert S t a n l e y replied
t h a t , i n his view, i t s h o u l d be t h e M i n i s t r y of L a b o u r , b u t it w a s
possible t h a t t h e M i n e r s ' F e d e r a t i o n m i g h t refuse to t r e a t w i t h t h a t
Department.
T h e C o a l Controller s a i d t h a t a big q u e s t i o n w a s involved.
H i t h e r t o , t h e M i n e r s ' F e d e r a t i o n h a d declined to d e a l w i t h t h e
M i n i s t r y of Labour, b u t tin re w e r e indications t h a t t h i s a t t i t u d e
would not be m a i n t a i n e d . W h a t e v e r decision w a s r e a c h e d by t h e
C a b i n e t in r e g a r d to t h e D e p a r t m e n t d e p u t e d to deal wdth t h e
miners, he t r u s t e d t h a t t h a t decision would be r e s o l u t e l y a d h e j ed to.
The special position h i t h e r t o occupied by t h e l a t t e r was no longer
tenable.
T h e M i n i s t e r of L a b o u r s a i d t h a t t h e m i n e r s h a d a l w a y s claimed
direct access to t h e P r i m e M i n i s t e r . T h i s claim, in his view, should
now be definitely r e j e c t e d .
S i r D a v i d Sh-mkleton p o i n t e d out t h a t t h e reason t h i s claim
was a d v a n c e d w a s t h a t t h e M i n i s t e r of L a b o u r h a d , d u r i n g the war,
the power of enforcing compulsory a r b i t r a t i o n , w h i c h h a d not been
a d m i t t e d b y t h e m i n e r s . N o w t h a t t h a t power w a s g o n e , it w a s
possible t h a t t h e y w o u l d c h a n g e t h e i r m i n d s .
T h e M i n i s t e r of Labour p o i n t e d out t h a t so long a s t h e
G o v e r n m e n t controlled the mines, & c , t h e position of h i s Depart­
ment w o u l d be seriously compromised, a s i t would be r e g a r d e d m
the l i g h t of an a n t a g o n i s t a n d not in t h a t of conciliator.
The
decision which t h e G o v e r n m e n t w a s a s k e d to t a k e t h a t d a y w a s w d i a t
w a g e s w e r e to be p a i d in t h e f u t u r e , a n d how t h e price of coal should
he a d j u s t e d so a s to e n a b l e a n y increase, if g r a n t e d , t o be m e t .
T h e P r e s i d e n t of t h e Board of T r a d e , in r e p l y to a question b y
Mr. Bonar L a w a s to w h a t w o u l d happen s u p p o s i n g t h a t a 3 0 per
cent, i n c r e a s e w e r e g r a n t e d , s a i d t h a t t h e o w n e r s w o u l d a c c e p t t h i s
as t h e act of G o v e r n m e n t , a n d r e m i n d e d t h e C a b i n e t t h a t t h e
G o v e r n m e n t h a d so far g u a r a n t e e d t h e o w n e r s ' profits.
L o r d Curzon s a i d t h a t h i s v i e w w a s t h a t t h e M i n i s t r y of
L a b o u r r e p r e s e n t e d t h e G o v e r n m e n t in all labour questions.
The
W a r C a b i n e t or the P r i m e M i n i s t e r m i g h t d e c i d e c e r t a i n questions,
but a n y p r e l i m i n a r y e n q u i r y m u s t be m a d e by t h a t M i n i s t r y .
H e s a i d h e did not u n d e r s t a n d upon w h a t g r o u n d t h e M i n e r s '
F e d e r a t i o n should object t o n e g o t i a t i n g w i t h the L a b o u r Ministry'.
T h e C h a n c e l l o r of t h e E x c h e q u e r said t h a t d u r i n g t h e w a r
v a r i o u s L a b o u r S u b - D e p a r t m e n t s h a d been formed in some of t h e
chief D e p a r t m e n t s of S t a t e , viz., t h e A d m i r a l t y , t h e W a r Office, the
Board of T r a d e , a n d t h e M i n i s t r y of M u n i t i o n s , a n d t h a t t h e s e
S u b - D e p a r t m e n t s h a d t a k e n decisions so f a r a s t h e i r o w n scope
e x t e n d e d . No S u b D e p a r t m e n t , h o w e v e r , w a s qualified t o deal w i t h
so i m p o r t a n t a question a s t h a t now before t h e W a r C a b i n e t , w h i c h ,
in h i s v i e w , m u s t be h a n d l e d b y t h e M i n i s t r y of L a b o u r
1
W $ 529
S i r David S h a c k l e t o n t h o u g h t t h a t somebody r e p r e s e n t i n g t h e
e m p l o y e r s should, in t h e first instance, g i v e a decision upon t h e w a g e
question, a n d t h a t if t h i s w e r e not s a t i s ' a c t o r y t o t h e M i n e r s '
F e d e r a t i o n the l a t t e r body should approach t h e M i n i s t r y of L a b o u r .
S i r A d a m N i m m o pointed out t h a t t h e p r e s e n t application h a d
been m a d e d i r e c t to t h e G o v e r n m e n t a n d not to t h e mine-owners.
S i r D a v i d S h a c k l e t o n s u g g e s t e d t h a t it w a s for t h e Eoard of
T r a d e now to s a y if t h e y agreed to t h e 3 0 per cent, a d v a n c e , a n d
t h a t if they were, u n a b l e to do so t h e m a t t e r should b e referred t o
t h e M i n i s t r y of L a b o u r .
The Coal C o n t r o l l e r said in a n y case his o w n D e p a r t m e n t a n d
t h e Board of t r a d e w o u l d necessarily r e n d e r a l l a s s i s t a n c e to t h e
L a b o u r Minister.
T h e W a r C a b i n e t decided that—In all labour d i s p u t e s t h e M i n i s t e r of L a b o u r , in close accord
and touch w i t h the Board of Trade, or other G o v e r n m e n t
D e p a r t m e n t s involved, should a c t a s t h e spokesman of t h e
Government.
Miners' Claim for
Advance in Wages
and Reduction in
Hours, &c.
2. The Minister of Labour said that the present demands of the
Miners' Federation fell into'three main categories : ­
(a.) Demobilisation.
(o.) Wages.
(c.) Hours of labour.
To which should be tacked on a general request for nationalisation
of coal mines. Among the claims put forward by the Federation
were : —
(i.) That all demobilised mine workers should be fully discharged
from the A r m y and Navy, and reinstated in the mines
as soon as they are able ;md desire to resume work.
(ii.) A n y such mine workers as are not able to perform an
ordinary day's work; or are unable to get i t ; or are
displaced to make room for discharged soldiers shall be
paid full miners' wages.
In regard to these demands, he proposed that the Govern­
ment should take a clear stand.
As regards demobilisation
there was no room for discussion.
I t was impossible to concede
preferential treatn ent to miners over the rest of the workers of the
country. A s a matter of fact iht-re had been less dislocation of
labour in the mines than elsewhere, except possibly in the shipyards.
In regard to wages, the demand was for an additional 30 per cent.
This would have a crippling effect on industry.
The wage demand,
alone would amount to about 4 0 , 0 0 0 , 0 0 0 1 . per annum; probably
3s. 6d. to 4.s\ per ton would have to be added to tbe present price
of coal; and, incidentally, about 15s. per ton to be added to t h e
price of steel. In one respect, however, the miners had a reasonable
claim for consideration. Their last advance had been in J u n e 1 9 1 8 ,
when the Prime Minister had promised them t h a t their wages would
be reconsidered if the cost of living rose. Since then, increases of
pay had been made to oiher trades. On the whole, looking a t
pre-war conditions, in comparison with other trades, the miners had
not suffered, but there was the Prime Ministers pledge to he
considered, and in order to make them square with other industries
they were perhaps entitled to receive an extra Is. per day.. H e
suggested that t vo alternative offers should be made to them :-—­
(i.) A n increment of Is. a day.
(ii.) That their claims should be examined by the Interim Court
of Arbitration which had succeeded the Committee on
Production.
W h a t he proposed w a s t h a t t h e y should be^ e m p o w e r e d to offer
t h e m i n e r s a full a n d i m p a r t i a l e n q u i r y into t h e w h o l e question of
t h e i r w a g e s . Such an offer to h e a r a n d i n v e s t i g a t e all t h e i r v a r i o u s
pleas could not fail, he t h o u g h t , to h a v e a favourable effect.
He
v e n t u r e d to s u g g e s t t h e C o m m i t t e e of E n q u i r y m i g h t be composed
s o m e w h a t on t h e following lines : —
The head of a G o v e r n m e n t D e p a r t m e n t in t h e chair,
Two r e p r e s e n t a t i v e s of t h e M i n e r s ' F e d e r a t i o n ,
Two r e p r e s e n t a t i v e s of t h e coaiowners,
T w o r e p r e s e n t a t i v e s of o t h e r trades,
T w o r e p r e s e n t a t i v e s of o t h e r t r a d e s unions,
a n d , t o complete t h e C o m m i t t e e ,
A prominent b a n k e r a n d a w e l l - k n o w n economist.
T h i s C o m m i t t e e should also g o into the question of h o u r s . The
m i n e r s ' p l e a w a s t h a t a r e d u c t i o n of the present h o u r s w o u l d afford
e m p l o y m e n t to all m i n e r s who w e r e being r e t u r n e d from t h e a r m y .
H e himself did not a p p r e h e n d a n y difficulty a b o u t t h e i r r e i n s t a t e ­
m e n t in a n y case. H e f u r t h e r s u g g e s t e d t h a t t h e C o m m i t t e e should
s u b m i t , a s soon a s possible, an I n t e r i m R e p o r t on t h e question of
w a g e s a n d hours, and t h a t it should then consider t h e further a n d
w i o e r question of j o i n t control, or t h e n a t i o n a l i s a t i o n of m i n e s . The
coaiowners t h e m s e l v e s h a d asked for a full e n q u i r y into t h e whole
m e c h a n i s m of t h e coal i n d u s t r y , a n d into the q u e s t i o n of profits.
S i r A d a m N i m m o s a i d he d i d nor object 10 t h e T e r m s of
R e f e r e n c e to the C o m m i t t e e i n c l u d i n g the n a t i o n a l i s a t i o n of mines,
b u t , s p e a k i n g for t h e coahnasters, he could s a y t h a t t h e y w o u l d be
m u c h influenced a s to t h i s point b y t h e c h a r a c t e r of t h e C o m m i t t e e ,
w h i c h m u s t include m e n of u n d o u b t e d e x p e r i e n c e and a b i l i t y , a s
t h e i r e n q u i r i e s would not be confined to the coal i n d u s t r y alone.
H e d e p r e c a t e d the T e r m s of Reference including too precise d e t a i l s ,
a s he t h o u g h t t h e y should be covered by t h e g e n e r a l t e r m
" organisation."
Lord Curzon s a i d t h a t t h e C a b i n e t w e r e now being a s k e d to
decide a v e r y big question. The C o m m i t t e e ' s e n q u i r i e s , to be com­
p l e t e , m u s t e\tend over a period of four or five m o n t h s . In t h e
m e a n t i m e , he understood t h a t a Government decision about t h e
nationalisation of m i n e s would be postponed. If the C o m m i t t e e s
e n q u i r i e s w e r e to e x t e n d to the question of t h e n a t i o n a l i s a t i o n of
m i n e s , t h e coalnrasters must he a d e q u a t e l y r e p r e s e n t e d thereon.
M r . B o n a r L a w doubted w h e t h e r it w a s e x p e d i e n t t h a t t h e
C o m m i t t e e appointed to i n v e s t i g a t e t h e question of hours a n d w a g e s
should also d e a l w i t h t h e b i g g e r problem of n a t i o n a l i s a t i o n .
The
w h o l e m a t t e r r e q u i r e d the movt careful handling, a n d it w a s essential
t h a t public opinion should be on t h e side of t h e Government.
The
C o m m i t t e e , besides comprising m e m b e r s w h o would represent both
t h e c o a l m a s t e r s and t h e miners, should also i n c l u d e others not
d i r e c t l y interested in, or connected w i t h , mines, e.g., j u d g e s a n d
economists ; a n d , further, other m e m b e r s who w o u l d r e g a r d it from
t h e p o i n t of view of other i n d u s t r i e s . H e a g r e e d w i t h t h e M i n i s t e r
of L a b o u r t h a t t h e proposed C o m m i t t e e should e n v i s a g e t h e problem
from t h e point of v i e w of t h e g e n e r a l t r a d e of t h e c o u n t r y .
T h e Chancellor of t h e E x c h e q u e r said t h a t t h e objection to
s e t t i n g up t w o s e p a r a t e C o m m i t t e e s w a s t h a t t h e r e w o u l d be
t w o bodies s i m u l t a n e o u s l y i n v e s t i g a t i n g coal problems.
It was
i m p o r t a n t t h a t t h e C o m m i t t e e d e a l i n g w i t h t h e nationalisation
of m i n e s should h a v e t h e a d v a n t a g e of being i n possession o f
t h e r e s u l t of t h e enquiries of t h e committee on hours a n d
w a g e s . Lie s u g g e s t e d t h a t a C o m m i t t e e should be set u p to deal,
i n t h e first instance, w i t h h o u r s a n d w a g e s , a n d t h a t l a t e r i t s
m e m b e r s h i p should be e x p a n d e d in order to e n a b l e i t to deal
a d e q u a t e l y w i t h t h e l a r g e r question of n a t i o n a l i s a t i o n . He t h o u g h t
t h e r e w a s an u n a n s w e r a b l e case for t h i s s u g g e s t e d accretion to d e a l
w i t h t h e l a r g e r m a t t e r , a n d he w a s sure t h a t t h e m i n e r s would see t h e
necessity. H e h o p e d t h a t the C o m m i t t e e w o u l d also consider t h e
effect of n a t i o n a l i s a t i o n on our foreign t r a d e .
[ncidentally, he
w o u l d refer to a s t a t e m e n t which h a d been m a d e to t h e effect t h a t
increased cost, of l i v i n g justified a further increase in p a y . H e w o u l d
a s k w h e t h e r i t w a s not possible now to do something to reduce t h e
price of food. T h e r e w e r e a t present enormous stocks in t h i s
c o u n t r y , a n d he t h o u g h t t h a t t h e t i m e had come to remove food
restrictions.
S i r A d a m N i m m o t h o u g h t t h a t t h e C o m m i t t e e m u s t include two
or t h r e e e m p l o y e r s ' r e p r e s e n t a t i v e s , t h e same n u m b e r of w o r k e r s '
r e p r e s e n t a i i v e s , a n d an e q u i v a l e n t n u m b e r of c o n s u m e r s ' r e p r e s e n t a ­
tives. To these should be a i d e d a c e r t a i n n u m b e r of members who
would exercise a b a l a n c i n g influence in order to k n i t t h e C o m m i t t e e
t o g e t h e r . H e a t t a c h e d g i e a t i m p o r t a n c e to t h i s b a l a n c i n g influence
t o enable a l l i m p o r t a n t i n t e r e s t s in t h e c o u n t r y to be r e p r e s e n t e d .
H i s v i e w w a s t h a t t h e m i n e r s would prefer one C o m m i t t e e only, so
t h a t t h e s a m e m e m b e r s would deal w i t h both problems.
T h e M i n i s t e r of L a b o u r s a i d t h a t it m u s t be made c l e a r to
t h e m i n e r s t h a t it w a s essential t h a t , before t h e question of
m e e t i n g their d e m a n d s on the question of nationalisation could
be properly considered, there m u s t be a previous e n q u i r y a s to
e x i s t i n g conditions. H e w o u l d here r e m a r k t h a t these p r e s e n t
c l a i m s m i g h t only be r e g a r d e d as an " a f f a i r of o u t p o s t s " ; t h e
big b a t t l e would be joined l a t e r . Those responsible for the present
industrial unrest i i " W r e g a r d e d , he b e l i e v e d , t h e recent sporadic
o u t b u r s t s a s a m i s t a k e . The moral he wotdd d r a w w a s t h a t the
G o v e r n m e n t m u s t t a k e i m m e d i a t e s t e p s to develop their p l a n s in
order to meet a much more serious s i t u a t i o n l a t e r . A s r e g a r d s the
p r e s e n t claims, a promise bad been m a d e to t h e Miners' Federation
that a reply w o u l d be oiven b y t h e end of this week. H e s u g g e s t e d
t h a t r e p r e s e n t a t i v e s of t h e F e d e r a t i o n should be invited on t h e
following M o n d a y to a conference, w h e n t h e v i e w s of t h e G o v e r n m e n t
s h o u l d be c o m m u n i c a t e d to t h e m .
W e r e t h e s e v i e w s to be com­
m u n i c a t e d v e r b a l l y or in a w r i t t e n s t a t e m e n t ? Toe a d v a n t a g e of
4 verbal communication w a s t h a t it w o u l d g i v e a chance of t h e
m i n e r s ' r e p r e s e n t a t i v e s m a k i n g v a r i o u s s u g g e s t i o n s , eg., in r e g a r d
GO the Terms of Reference to the proposed C o m m i t t e e .
T h e F i r s t Lord of the A d m i r a l t y , w i t h reference to the
C h a n c e l l o r of t h e E x c h e q u e r s point in r e g a r d to r e d u c i n g the price
of food, ^aid t h a t t h i s r a i s e d the question, in a more a c u t e form, of
the position of t h e producers in t h e c o u n t r y . H e pointed out t h a t
w a g e s h a d been r a i s e d d u r i n g t h e w a r , not b y competition, b u t b y
G o v e r n m e n t action, and t h e n e w P a r l i a m e n t w u l d be c e r t a i n to
wish to know how t h e i n t e r e s t s of the producers w e r e t o be
safeguarded.
T h e Coal Controller s a i d t h a t t h e M i n i s t e r of L a b o u r m i g h t
be"correct in s t a t i n g t h a t t h e big b a t t l e w a s to come l a t e r , b u t his
own information, w a s to t h e effect t h a t t h e m i n e r s in S o u t h W a l e s ,
a t a n y r a t e , w e r e o u t for a fight now.
M r : B o n a r L a w t h o u g h t t h a t p o s s i b l y t h e p r e s e n t would be a
favourable time for t h e G o v e r n m e n t to m e e t a s t r i k e .
The essence
of t h e present problem was, in his view, t h e case t h e G o v e r n m e n t
would be able to present to t h e c o u n t r y . T h e m i n e r s were c l a i m i n g
fco fix t h e i r own r a t e s of p a y , irrespective of t h e effect t h a t this
m i g h t h a v e on o t h e r t r a d e s , a n d t h e y w e r e t a k i n g up a v e r y selfish
position. H e t h o u g h t it most d e s i r a b l e t h a t t h e M i n i s t r y of L a b o u r
s h o u l d a t once c a r e f u l l y p r e p a r e t h e i r case for p r e s e n t a t i o n to t h e
public, a n d in d o i n g so, t h e y should m a k e a strong point of t h e
effect of a rise in m i n e r s ' w a g e s upon other w a g e - e a r n e r s i n t h e
kingdom.
Sir A d a m Nimmo agreed t h a t it was essential that a clear
s t a t e m e n t of t h e G o v e r n m e n t s position s h o u l d be p u b l i s h e d a l l
over t h e c o u n t r y
A s r e g a r d s t h e form in w h i c h t h e v i e w s of t h e
[826J-190
C
G o v e r n m e n t should be c o m m u n i c a t e d to t h e m i n e r s ' r e p r e s e n t a t i v e s ,
he feared t h a t a verbal s t a t e m e n t alone w o u l d only r e s u l t in hopeless
m i s u n d e r s t a n d i n g and confusion. H e s u g g e s t e d t h a t t h e v e r b a l
m e s s a g e should be a t once followed b y a p r i n t e d m e m o r a n d u m t o be
p l a c e d in t h e h a n d s of t h e d e l e g a t e s , a n d to be w i d e l y p u b l i s h e d
i m m e d i a t e l y after t h e conference.
S i r D a v i d S h a c k l e t o n h o p e d t h a t t h e communication w o u l d not
be in too c i t - a n d - d v i e d a form a n d e l a s t i c r a t h e r t h a n r i g i d .
T h e W a r C a b i n e t decided t h a t —
T h e M i n i s t e r of L a b o u r should p r e p a r e , in consultation with t h e
P r e s i d e n t of t h e B o a r d of T r a d e a n d H o m e S e c r e t a r y , a
d r a f t communication t o be m a d e by him to t h e r e p r e s e n t s ­
f i v e s of t h e Miners' F e d e r a t i o n on t h e following M o n d a y , t h e
s a i d draft to be s u b m i t t e d to M r . B e n a r L a w for t h e a p p r o v a l
of t h e P r i m e M i n i s t e r before b e i n g c o m m u n i c a t e d t o t h e
m i n e r s ' r e p r e s e n t a t i v e s ; and t h e c o m m u n i c a t i o n , a s finally
a p p r o v e d , to be w i d e l y c i r c u l a t e d i m m e d i a t e l y after t h e
conference.
Industrial TJnrest:
Tube Strike.
Threatened London
Electrical Strike.
3. W i t h reference to W a r C a b i n e t 528, M i n u t e 1, t h e P r e s i d e n t
of t h e B o a r d of T r a d e r. ported t h a t t h e d r i v e r s on t h e T u b e
R a i l w a y s had not a c c p t e d the G o v e r n m e n t s offer, and c o n s e q u e n t l y
b a d not r e t u r n e d t o work. On the r a i l w a y s , w i t h one exception (as
a p a r t from t h e Tube R a i l w a y s , t h e normal s e r v i c e s were being­
r e s u m e d . M r . B r o m l e y , t h e S e c r e t a r y to t h e A s s o c i a t e d S o c i e t y of
E n g i n e e r s and Firemen, w a s t r y i n g t o induce h i s m e n to r e s u m e
w o r k , b u t a difficulty had arisen w i t h the d r i v e r s in t h e N a t i o n a l
U n i o n of B a i l w a y m e n , w h o w e r e t h e h e y of t h e position. T h e i r
E x e c u t i v e on t h e previous d a y b a d r e p u d i a t e d M r . H ndson's s i g n a t u r e
to t h e a g r e e m e n t . The E x e c u t i v e b a d telephoned l a t e l a s t n i g h t
t h a t n e g o t i a t i o n s would still continue. T h e m e n , however, w e r e
v e r y dissatisfied w i t h t h e r e s u l t of t h e G o v e r n m e n t s decision. In
v i e w of t h e fact t h a t n e g o t i a t i o n s w e r e proceeding, t h a t a c r i t i c a l
s t a g e had been r e a c h e d , t h a t w e were b r i n g i n g o u t s i d e m e n into t h e
p o w e r - s t a t i o n s , a n d t h a t t h e p r e s e n t s t r i k e was q u i t e u n a u t h o r i s e d ,
h e s u g g e s t e d t h a t it would bo b e t t e r to w a i t before b r i n g i n g men
i n t o t h e L o t s R o a d power-station. T h e G o v e r n m e n t v i e w h a d b e e a
p u t before t h e men, a n d w e h a d m a i n t a i n e d the principle for w h i c h
w e h a d fought.
He s u g g e s t e d t h a t w e should w a i t for t h e
E x e c u t i v e ' s r e p l y , and if i t w e r e not s a t i s f a c t o r y , w e should go a h e a d
a n d u s e a l l m e a n s in our power to break: t h e s t r i k e .
M r . B o n a r L a w a g r e e d t h a t , if t h e s t r i k e w e n t on i t would be
n e c e s s a r y for t h e G o v e r n m e n t to t a k e a s t r o n g line a n d see t h e
matter through.
T h e S e c r e t a r y of S t a t e for H o m e Affairs a s k e d if S i r H a m a r
G r e e n w o o d ' s C o m m i t t e e should continue i t s p r e p a r a t i o n s to c a r r y
on t h e public services should t h e s t r i k e continue.
T h e P r e s i d e n t of t h e B o a r d of T r a d e s a i d he h a d a s k e d Mr. B l a i n
t o find out definitely, in t h e e v e n t of t h e L o t s Load power s t a t i o n b e i n g
closed d o w n , if there would be a sufficient n u m b e r of v o l u n t e e r s
from outside to c a r r y on t h e services, a n d he u n d e r s t o o d t h a t a
sufficient n u m b e r of men would be forthcoming.
S i r H a m a r Greenwood s a i d t h a t a r r a n g e m e n t s had been m a d e
t h e p r e v i o u s n i g h t to t a k e over e v e r y electric l i g h t s t a t i o n . T h e r e
w o u l d be t h a t e v e n i n g 1,000 e x t r a skilled m e c h a n i c s r e a d y t o t a k e
over t h e l i g h t i n g s t a t i o n s . No definite information w a s y e t forth­
c o m i n g a s to w h a t t h e s t r i k e r s h a d act u a l l y d e c i d e d t h e p r e v i o u s
day.
H i s C o m m i t t e e , however, proposed in . t h e m e a n t i m e to
continue their preparations.
.
.
The M i n i s t e r of L a b o u r s u g g e s t e d t h a t t h e G o v e r n m e n t o u g h t
t o m a k e definite plans for e s t a b l i s h i n g a p e r m a n e n t o r g a n i s a t i o n t o
- m e e t civil e m e r g e n c i e s in the f u t u r e .
Q
Mr. B o n a r L a w h a d a g r e e d t h a t t h i s s h o u l d be done, a n d
s u g g e s t e d t h a t S i r H a m a r Greenwood's C o m m i t t e e s h o u l d c a r r y out
t h i s proposal.
S i r H a m a r Greenwood said t h a t his C o m m i t t e e h a d r e g i s t e r e d
t h e n a m e s a n d a d d r e s s e s of l a r g e n u m b e r s of o u t s i d e s k i l l e d m e n
who would form t h e n iclei of an o r g a n i s i t i o n sue i a s t h a t s u g g e s t e d
b y t h e M i n i s t e r of Labour. A c c o r d i n g to his information, t b e men
in t h e e l e c t r i c a l power p l a n t s were g e n e r a l l y a v e r s e from s t r i k i n g ,
b u t t h e y a n d their families h a d been i n t i m i d a t e d b y t b e r e v o l u t i o n a r y
elements.
The W a r C a b i n e t decided —
( a . ) To sanction the e s t a b l i s h m e n t of a p e r m a n e n t o r g a n i s a t i o n
a s s u g g e s t e d bv S i r H a m a r G r e e n w o o d ;
DO
ji
ill
*
(6.) To express to S i r Ha mar Greenwood a n d his C o m m i t t e e
t b e t h a n k s of the G o v e r n m e n t for t h e a d m i r a b l e work
t h e y had performed.
A t a l a t e r s t a g e the P r e s i d e n t of t h e B o a r d of T r a d e r e a d a
l e t t e r which he h a d receive 1 from t h e E x e c u t i v e of 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 a s k i n g for a conference, a n d s t a t e d t h a t he
w a s a r r a n g i n g to see t h e m a t 3 o'clock t h a t afternoon.
Desirability of
Publishing the
Original Agreement
with the P a i l way
Men on the EightHours' Question.
4. The Chancellor of the E x c h e q u e r referred to recent a r t i c l e s
in t h e " T i m e s " a n d other n e w s p a p e r s which s u g g e s t e d t h e a g r e e ­
m e n t s i g n e d by Mr. Bromley w a s not in the s a m e terras as the one
s i g n e d b y Mr. U n i s o n o n the e i g h t - h o u r s ' question.
The W a r C a b i n e t decide 1 t h a t —
The P r e s i d e n t of the Board of T r a d e should
w a s identically t h e s a m e a g r e e m e n t .
Local Investigating
tCommissions.
a n n o u n c e
that
it
5, The M i n i s t e r of L a b o u r s u g g e s t e d that it was desirable t h a t
t h e Local Commissions formed in 1 9 1 6 to i n v e s t i g a t e the conditions
which led to industrial unrest d u r i n g t h e war should be r e - e s t a b l i s h e d ,
as t h e s a i d Commissions h a d u n d o u b t e d l y performed a d m i r a b l e work.
It was p a r t i c u l a r l y n e c e s s a r y a t t b e present j u n c t u r e t h a t there
should be responsible local bodies who should e x a m i n e a n d report on
local grievances. T b e special question d e m a n d i n g a solution w a s
w h y t h e r e w a s so much revolt a g a i n s t the a u t h o r i t y of t h e T r a d e
Unions.
In this connection he bad obtained the view s of
Mr. C l y n e s , S i r A l l a n S m i t h , a n d others, who had ail e x p r e s s e d
t h e m s e l v e s in favour of" e s t a b l i s h i n g t h e . L o c a l Commissions.
The W a r C a b i n e t decided that—7
The
The Goal Situation.
[626]-190
M i n i s t e r of L a b o u r should s u b m i t definite proposals for
t h e i r consideration.
­ T h e Coal Controller s a i d t h a t t h e r e were t w o points in r e g a r d
to which he desired to consult t h e W a r Cabinet. T h e first was, in
t h e e v e n t of the miners " d o w n i n g tools," could t b e c o u l m a s t e r s r e l y
upon t b e G o v e r n m e n t affording a d e q u a t e protection to t h e i r m i n e s ?
and, secondly, should A l l i e d a n d n e u t r a l G o v e r n m e n t s be informed,
in v i e w of t h e possibility of a s t r i k e on t h e p a r t of t h e coal-miners
of t h e U n i t e d K i n g d o m , t h a t t h e y would be well a d v i s e d to t a k e t h e
n e c e s s a r y s t e p s to place a d v a n c e orders for coal i n t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s
and elsewhere ?
The WuT C a b i n e t d e c i d e d t h a t —
(i
(a) T h e Coal Controller s h o u l d refer the m a t t e r of protection to
t h e C o m m i t t e e on I n d u s t r i a l U n r e s t ( W a r C a b i n e t 525,
Minute 3).
D
(b.) i t w a s u n d e s i r a b l e t b a t a n y r e p r e s e n t a t i o n s should be m a d e
t o A l l i t d and. n e u t r a l c o u n t r i e s at t h i s s t a g e .
Seditious Speeches.
7. T h e W a r C a b i n e t considei 'ed a M e m o r a n d u m bv t h e H o m e
S e c r e t a r y ( P a p e r G . T . - G 7 5 5 ) on t h e question of p r o s e c u t i n g s e d i t i o u s
speakers.
T h e florae S e c r e t a r y s a i d t h a t , u p to t h e p r e s e n t t i m e , t h e H o m e
Office h a d been of t h e opinion t h a t to prosecute for s e d i t i o u s
speeches m a d e a t s m a l l a n a r c h i s t s ' m e e t i n g s d i d more h a r m t h a n
good. I t w a s felt, h o w e v e r , t h a t t h e situation h a c now c h a n g e d .
T h e r e were B o l - h e v i k s in t h e c o u n t r y w i t h G e r m a n money, a n d b e
w a s of 01 inion t h a t , in t h e diff r e n t c i r c u m s t a n c e s , it w o u l d be w i s e
to proseeute for s e d i t i o u s speeches. H e pointed out t h a t t h e l e a d e r s
of t h e a g i t a t i o n in G l a s g e w h a d been prosecuted, a n d he had b e e n
p r e p a r e d , h a d it been n e c e s s a r v , to a r r e s t those responsible for t h e
u n r e s t a m o n g s t t h e eL ctrical e n g i n e e r s . The a l i e n violinist, S o e r m u s ,
w h o b a d b e e n g o i n g al out t h e c o u n t r y m a k i n g violent speeches, h a d
also been a r r e s t e d . T h e Home Office had fairly reliable information
a b o u t t w o S w e d e s w h o h a d come i n t o this c o u n t r y w i t h G e r m a n
m o n e y . H e t h o u g h t t h a t if s e m e persons of t h i s di scription w e r e
a r r e s t e d , a n d a t t h e s a m e t i m e a few men of t h e t y p e of D a v i d
l l a m s e y , w h o s e spt eches w e r e referred to in his M e m o r a n d u m , it
w o u l d do a g r e a t d e a l to show t h e c o u n t r y t h e k i n d of men who
w e r e m a k i n g mischief. H e w o u l d s i n g l e out t h e most influential a n d
p r o m i n e n t for prosecution.
M r B o n a r L a w said t h a t h e took the s a m e v i e w a s t h e H o m e
S e c r e t a r y . In o r d i n a r y t i m e s prosecutions did more h a r m than good,
b u t t h e p r e s e n t c i r c u m s t a n c e s were exceptional. A n y t h i n g t h a t
w o u l d impress public opinion w i t h t h e r e v o l u t i o n a r y n a t u r e of t h e
p r e s e n t a g i t a t i o n would be an a d v a n t a g e . H e hoped t h e H o m e
Office in ended to d e a l w i t h m e n of t h e t y p e of M c M a n u s . T h e y
should e n d e a v o u r to g e t a t t h e r e a l l e a d e r s of tin- movement.
M r . C h a m b e r l a i n hop. d t h a t the Home Office w o u l d t a k e care,
w h e n s e l e c t i n g e x p r e s s i o n s of opinion on w h i c h to prosecute, to
e l i m i n a t e those w..ich w e r e less s t r o n g l y w o r d e d . H e felt t h a t if
a t t e n t i o n w e r e confined to o n l y half of t h e objectionable p a s s a g e s ,
the s t r o n g e s t h a l f b e i n g selected, i t would h a v e more effect on
public opinion.
It w a s s u g g e s t e d t h a t t h e G o v e r n m e n t should a i m a t prose­
c u t i n g persons who w e r e not d i r e c t l y associated w i t h t h e T r a d e
Unions.
T h e F i r s t Lord p o i n t e d out t h a t i t w a s d e s i r a b l e to g e t a t those
who w e r e c a r r y i n g on an a g i t a t i o n under t h e g u i s e of T r a d e s
U n i o n i s m . H e w a s informed b y the n a v a l a u t h o r i t i e s t h a t t h e
sailors, w h i l e t h e y were e x t r a o r d i n a r i l y loyal, a n d h a d expressed
t h e i r w i l l i n g n e s s t o help in t h e prevention of disorder,.could not
u n d e r s t a n d w h y a g i t a t o r s , to whose speeches t h e y l i s t e n e d w h e n
on shore-leave, w e r e a l l o w e d to sav t h i n g s w h i c h no m a n w o u l d be
p e r m i t t e d to s a y on board ship.
S i r A u c k l a n d G e d d e s s u g g e s t e d t h a t power should be t a k e n to
prosecute a l i e n s coming to t h i s c o u n t r y a n d i n d u l g i n g in propa­
g a n d a , a n d would even go t h e l e n g t h of t a k i n g power to inflict
the d e a t h sentence.
D u r i n g t h e Election t h e c o u n t r y w a s v e r y
e x c i t e d on t h e s u b j e c t of aliens. H e s u g g e s t e d t h a t a s h a r p dis­
t i n c t i o n should be d r a w n b e t w e e n B r i t i s h s u b j e c t s a n d a l i e n s .
T h e H o m e S e c r e t a r y a g r e e d , but pointed o u t t h e l e g a l difficulty,
t h a t so m a n y w h o w e r e aliens b y t a r e n t a g e a n d u p b r i n g i n g had
been born on B r i t i s h soil a n d w e r e B r i t i s h s u b j e c t s .
The S e c r e t a r y for S c o t l a n d s a i d he w a s s u r e t h a t t h e Lord
A d v o c a t e w a s in a g r e e m e n t w i t h t h e proposal contained in t h e
H o m e S e c r e t a r y ^ M e m o r a n d u m so far a s it concerned S c o t l a n d . H e
s t r o n g l y e x p r e s s e d t h e hope, however, t h a t if convictions were
obtained, t h e G o v e r n m e n t w o u l d not allow prisoners to be r e l e a s e d
before t h e y b a d served t h e i r sentences. T h e r e l e a s e of MaciLean.
had had unfortunate results. MacLean w a s again making most
o u t r a g e o u s speeches, and would probably ha,ve to b e r e a r r e s t e d .
The W a r Cabinet decided—
(a.) To a p p r o v e t h e r e c o m m e n d a t i o n s contained in t h e H o m e
Secretary's Memorandum;
(h.) To r e q u e s t t h e H o m e S e c r e t a r y to d r a w u p proposals on
t h e l i n e s s u g g e s t e d by S i r A u c k l a n d Geddes, for
consideration b y t h e Cabinet.
2, Whitehall
Gardens,
S.W.,
7, 3919.
February