MINERS' MANIFESTO.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 205, 30 August 1926, Page 7

MINERS' MANIFESTO.

GAUNTLET TO OWNERS. NO STARVATION SURRENDER

APPEAL TO PUBLIC JUDGMENT. (By Cable.—Press Association.-Copyright.) LONDON, August 29. A manifesto dealing with the situation which has arisen from the conferences recently held with the Mining Association and the Government, has been issued by the Miners' Federation. This states that the federation was prepared to negotiate on the question of wages but it reveals the fact that the men are adamant on the questions of a seven-hours' day and a national agreement. ° The representatives of the miners attended the meeting with the mineowners with a genuine desire and hope that the conference might prepare the way for a reasonable settlement, says the manifesto. Unfortunately the conditions laid down by the chairman of the association, Mr. Evan Williams, were such as to make a settlement impossible. The owners insisted on national negotiations and agreements being abandoned in future and on the miners agreeing to the working day being lengthened by one hour. Both these proposals had been condemned by the Coal Commission. "The federation is well aware of the owners' ■ belief that the miners will eventually be forced to submit to any terms through the starvation of their families," the document continues. "It is also aware that the owners have been encouraged in this belief by the attitude and actions of the Government throughout this dispute. "But the public must judge for themselves whether a settlement enforced by the starvation of women and children, and one by means of which the miner would be deprived of the protection of his national trades union organisation, would be likely either to be lasting or conducive to future peace in the industry. It is sufficient to point out that the spirit of the miners is far from being broken. It is resolute and unshaken^ "At the same time the federation is prepared to enter into negotiations on the question of wages. It deplores the fact that the owners have sabotaged discussion on that point by insisting upon proposals which were roundly condemned by the Commission. , "The federation is ready at any moment to discuss wages, either with the Government or with th e owners, provided that they are satisfied that the reconstruction of the industry on the, lines recommended by the Commission will genuinely be taken in hand by the Government and the owners."—(Reuter.) AMERICAN HELP. MANY UNIONS SYMPATHETIC. NEW YORK, August 29. It was announced at Cleveland, Ohio. yesterday, by Mr. Ben THlett, the British Labour leader, who is head of the delegation now in America to enlist financial aid for the miners that 21 Railway and Labour organisations in the United States had pledged their full financial support of the "locked-out" miners, 3.000.000 of whom are uncm>r>loyed in Britain. The sum of £200.000 is to be «ent by these organisations to the British Miners' Federation.— (Renter.) WILL MEET ON MONDAY. LONDON, August 29. The Miners' Executive will meet on Monday to consider the result of the interview with the Government and other matters. The Executive will also meet the Labour Commoners in view of Tuesday's debate in Parliament on the occasion of the renewal of emergency legislation. The debate promises to be of a most lively character.— (A. and N.Z.)