STRIKES MAY CLOSE EVERY WELSH MINE

Auckland Star, Volume LXXV, Issue 58, 9 March 1944, Page 6

STRIKES MAY CLOSE EVERY WELSH MINE

70,000 WORKERS IDLE

Resentment At Government

Decision

N.Z. Press Association—Copyright Rec. 2.30 p.m. LONDON, Mar. cS. Britain's spreading coal strike threatens to close every Welsh mine by the week-end and cost the nation about 500.000 tons of coal a week. Approximately 70,000 miners are now idle, and the daily production loss is estimated at about 60.000 tons.

Mr. Arthur Horner, president of the South Wales Miners' Federation, said: "The situation threatens to become catastrophic. The Welsh miners have revolted in no uncertain fashion."

Practically the whole of the Rhondda Valley has stopped production, and most of the men from the important Tredegar Collieries, Monmouthshire, have joined the strikers. The strike is spreading to West Wales.

The chief cause of the strikers' resentment is the Government's decision that the special allowances granted under the recent award for working difficult places shall be included in the £5 a week minimum wage awarded by the Porter Tribunal. Feeling is running high.

Record-Breaking Heivers Stop

Among the strikers are men from the record-breaking Abergorki Colliery, which has flown the Union Jack at its masthead for 40 consecutive weeks as a sign that it has passed its target output.

At meetings throughout the coalfields the strikers have been told that they will have no backing from their union. The miners' lodges are holding meetings to consider a recommendation from the Executive Council that they should return to work pending discussions with the Porter Tribunal and negotiating committees of owners and men over the question of anomalies.

However, some lodges have already decided to remain on strike until Saturday when a delegate conference will be convened, at which a report will be given of to-day's talks in London with the Fuel Minister, Major Lloyd George. Worst Strike Since 1926 Latest reports say that Wales is now in the grip of the most calamitous miners' strike since 1926. A spokesman for the mine owners put the number of affected pits at 156, employing 80,000 men of the total 100,000 engaged. These strikers have virtually brought to a standstill mines producing the world's best steam coal, which is vitally needed, not only for war factories, railways and home industries, but for ships' bunkers and cargoes for special overseas needs.

Street scenes in the Rhondda Valley, one of the most famous coalproducing centres, were reminiscent to-day of the big unemployment days of the industrial depression after the last war. The miners stood idly on street-corners, vowing their determination to stick it out until their grievances were met. Pithead gear throughout the valley is silent, and no smc).e is issuing from the chimneys.

A coal hewer said: "I know people are saying that we are letting down the soldiers, but we are fighting for improved conditions for them when they return."

I The stoppage is already affecting industries. Coal for boilers and for producers is exhausted at one elec-trically-powered works in South Wales.

""Major Lloyd George is negotiating with a committee of miners and owners in London. The Minister accepted an agreement between both sides of the industry to pay, in addition to the minimum wage, certain allowances provided in the existing district agreements to men working in excessive dust and water.

The Minister undertook to consider other .matters concerning allowances peculiar to South Wales when the men return to work. The men's representatives joined the Minister in urging the men to return to work. The meeting also considered the overhaul of the wage structure, which is very complicated. The Minister submitted proposals which both sides agreed to consider.