THE GOVERNMENT'S PROPOSALS.

Press, Volume LXVIII, Issue 14292, 1 March 1912, Page 7

THE GOVERNMENT'S PROPOSALS.

THE OWNERS NOT UNANIMOUS. MRfEKS i>- ACCORD WITH TWO CLAUSES. (Received February 29th, 0.35 p.m.) LONDON, February 29. It is officially announced that the Government has sent the following com* munication to the coal-owners: — It is satisfied, after careful consideration, that thoro are cases whuro miners cannot earn a reasonable Jiving wage, from causes over which they bavo no control. That it is satisfied that the power to secure such wage should be secured by arrangements suitable to tho circumstances in each district, adequate safeguards being provided to y>rotecfc tho employers against abuse. Tho Government is prepared to coufer with the parties concerning tho teat method of Riving practical effect to this conclusion by means of district conferences between the parties, whereat.the Government will bo represented. - In tho event of any such conferences failing to arrive at a complete settlement within a reasonable time, the representatives and the Government shall decide, jointly, tho outstanding points, with a vierw to giving effect to the agreement in> principle. The offleinl communication add*:—•The employers in tho English federatod area of Durham and Cumberland h&vo accepted, and 'in Northumberland, Scotinnd, South Wales, Forest of Dean, Somerset, and Bristol, they have refused the 1 Government propositions. The miners have concurred in the first two propositions, but have' disagreed with numbers three and fotiir, and arc not propared to regard the minimum wftge 6cald adopted on Fobrn- / lury 2nd as 6pen to negotiation*. ' Further conferences will be held to- :;. day, ■ ■~■■,