22 SEPTEMBER 1926
The Miners’ Executive discussed the Government’s plan for the settlement of the coal dispute. The Government’s policy, the Executive state in a letter to the Premier, has created a new and grave situation. The four officials of the Miners’ Federation met the Prime Minister at Downing Street. The discussions were adjourned until to-day.
The attempt of the famous French “ace,” Captain René Fonck, to fly from New York to Paris resulted in disaster at the start, the giant Sikorsky biplane crashing in flames. Fonck and Curtis, the second pilot, had miraculous escapes, but the mechanic and the wireless operator were killed.
A cyclone swept the city of Encarnacion in Paraguay and over 100 deaths are reported.
The hurricane which levelled Miami and the pleasure resorts of Eastern Florida has exacted heavy toll at towns on the Gulf of Mexico in its onward sweep. It now appears that certain islands of the Bahamas group have also suffered badly. President Coolidge has received from the King a message of personal sympathy with the American people in the disaster which has befallen them, and the British Government has communicated with the White House in a similar sense.
Resolutions to be submitted to the conference on October 6 at Scarborough of the National Union of Conservative and Unionist Associations call upon the Government to amend the law relating to Trade Unions. They state that present legislation does not safeguard the public against strikes, or the individual member against intimidation, victimisation, and the use of his contributions for purposes he does not approve. The Prime Minister will address a mass meeting organised by the Union on October 7.
Dutch troops mutinied following an officer’s refusal to comply with a demand for more beer. The guard fired on the mutineers, and one innocent non-commissioned officer was killed and a number of privates were wounded.