MINERS STAND FIRM.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1379, 4 March 1912, Page 5

MINERS STAND FIRM.

PUBLIC FEELING AGAINST THEM. "A GIGANTIC BLUNDER." (Rec. March 3, 5.5 p.m.) London, March 2. Mr. Smillie, in an interview, said the Government had asked tho miners' representative to justify tho minimum wage schedule. They would do this, but they could not negotiate with a view to a possiblo reduction. The executive of tho federation was not authorised to agree to a reduction. The owners must first signify their acceptance of the rates before negotiations could proceed further. The miners had already reduced the figures to the. lowest point, and were not prepared to leave it to, Government officials to say what was a reasonable minimum.

The "Daily Chronicle" says the stiff, uncompromising attitude of the miners has grievously disappointed their friends. The prevalent impression in the House of Commons is that tho miners lieve made a gigantic blunder, as hitherto public opinion was with them. The demand for nothing but the schedule will alienate sympathy. The "Daily Telegraph" says the nation is confronted with the simple straightforward threat that, the Miners' Federation will break the country if it cannot bend

it.. Tho "Daily News" says the miners have now put themselves in the wrong. The Government capnot permit all the tictails of a proposed settlement to be imposed on n national industry without examination.