LABOUR UNREST.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16479, 24 March 1919, Page 7

LABOUR UNREST.

THE MINERS' DISPUTE,

RECEPTION OP COMMISSION'S REPORT.

(By Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright.) (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) LONDON, March 21. The newspapers unanimously regard Mr Justice Sankey's report as generous, and approve of the Government's attitude They also urge the miners to prevent a catastrophic strike. Tho closing sentences of Mr Bonar Law's speech yesterday, announcing that the Government would not hesitate to use all its resources to break a strike against the community -was r»ccived with loud cheering, followed by a vehement outburst from the Labour benches.

It is known that some of th* miners' dolegates are prepared to accept the Coal Commission's report, but others, offended at Mr Bonar Law's closing words, show a fighting spirit. Mr R. Smillie describes Mr Bonar Law's warning as a foolish utterance. Mr Llovd George, in a statement, said the industrial world -would be unsettled until peace was signed. Mr Justice Sankey's remarkable document showod a sincere desire to do justice. It was inconceivable that the miners would take violent action in the face of it.

One hnndrod and fifty miners' delepates ore holding a meeting at the Central Hall, at which there is a sharp division of opinion. STRIKE POSTPONED. (Received March 23rd, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, March 21. The Miners' Conference has adjourned till March 26th. The strike has been postponed, pending further negotiations for modifications of the Commission's report. The newspapers anticipate that tho miners' postponement 'of the strike foreshadows an early settlement. The railwaymen's decisions do not imply that the negotiations have ceased. In view of the triple alliance's attitude, counsels of moderation are likely to prevail. It is understood the miners are urging as a compromise a 2s 6d advance, retrospective to January 9th, and the unconditional establishment of a six hours day in July, 1920. Labour's triple alliance has decided to give approval to the Government, with a view to removing the railway deadlock. Meanwhile, it requests the railwaymon to remain at work pending the alliance's further decision. The Cabinet considers the now dovelopment on Saturday. The Miners Executive conferred with Mr Bonar Law for ninety minutes, and then adjourned till Tuesday. DEMANDS CONCEDED. LONDON. March 21. The transport workers' _ negotiations are proceeding satisfactorily, and settlements have been reached at some ports, including London. It is understood that the workers' demands have been conceded. SITUATION GRAVE. (Received March 23rd, 11.30 p.m.) LONDON, March 22. The miners, railwaymen, and transporters conferred with members of the Cabinet, and later departed for their Conference, declaring tho situation to be of the gravest. It is reported the railwaymen have refused the offer of wages costing annually, insisting on £120,000,000. Sir R. S. Home, Sir A. Stanley, and Sir Auckland Geddcs attended the Railway Executive's conference with the railwaymen. After negotiating for several hours, no result was announced. The conference resumes on Sunday. Mr Thomas, while emphasising the gravity of the situation, points out neither side will leave anything undone to avert a $trike. A meeting of the railwaymen's delegates at London to-night (22nd) resolved that they were not prepared without a strike, to accept less than the full demands contained m the national programme. The resolution oomes before a mass meeting at London on Sunday.