Mexborough & Swinton Times – Saturday 1 November 1924
Mr. Cook At Denaby
The Dawes Report
The Secretary of the Miners’ Federation (Mr. A. J. Cook) was loudly cheered at a Labour meeting at Denaby last Sunday. He said every attack on Mr. McDonald or Mr. Williams was an attack on the workers. The more the workers understood political questions, the more rapidly would progress be brought about. It was understood, for instance, that the old men should retire on pension and the young men should work and not become demoralised. Nineteen years ago he believed in the economic position of Socialism, and he believed in it to-day more than ever; they should eliminate the cause of this present unsatisfactory state of things. There must be a change. The time for abuse was over. It was the last resort of a scoundrel. That was why they did not trouble about Mr. Churchill, who was a “pimp,” a parasite. But they did trouble about some men, and those men in their own camp—men who could be bought. He that would be free must first strike the blow. They need not mind their political opponent—he was merely a “marionette.”
He expected the Denaby people would poll 100 per cent. There should be nationalisation of mines. They all believed that; they should be worked for the good of the country. There was really no need for speeches at this election—this very important election; it was for deeds and for heavy Labour polling everywhere. There was no Bolshevism about it. It was a sensible endeavour to make brighter days dawn. The issues were vital. There had been nine men in Government posts who never went to universities, and the country had seen how capable they were. The workers should set a proper valuation on themselves. They should be bamboozled no longer. They should not be defeated on the “empty bellies of women and children.” Let the machinery be prepared for rectifying social difficulties.
Dealing with the Dawes report, Mr. Cook said Mr. Lloyd George was the “villain of the piece” in the Coalition Government that ruined the mining industry. When Mr. McDonald came into office he said “We shall have to limber up and get away the rubbish before we can get the coal.” The workers would understand this way of explaining the position. The Sankey Committee was set up. Mr. Lloyd George said, “Let Germany pay; make the pips squeak.” His (the speaker’s) committee said, “Whatever Government is in power we are going to examine anything that is put in operation that affects our men in the mines. That is my duty and the duty of the committee.” The industrial and the political sides were working together in the matter. “We represent the miners first and obey the committee whatever action place.” They would not agree to the Dawes Report operating against the interests of the miners. If it was found that the operation of the Dawes Report adversely affected the British mines, there was no reparation coal to come from Germany. Sir John Simon said they earned the praise of every man by the way they had dealt with this matter.
Twelve months ago not a penny piece would have been risked in Germany. “Let Germany have any money! The country we have been fighting.” They were bankrupt and ruined. But Mr. Ramsay MacDonald introduced a better spirit. He said, “What have you been preaching? Let’s practise it.” And the result was Mr. MacDonald accomplished what Mr. Lloyd George failed to do. They had been how rapidly the money was subscribed for Germany, both at home and abroad. In America it was over-subscribed to the amount of a hundred million dollars. Mr. MacDonald took the matter out of the hands of the money-grubbers. When the truth was told it would be found that the election was forced because of this action.