UNACCEPTABLE TERMS

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 79, 3 April 1926, Page 7

UNACCEPTABLE TERMS

peospect;of serious crisis,

(Reuters Telegram.) (Received 3rd, April, noon.) " LONDON, 2nd April. A member of the Miners'. Executive stated that the-,miners had given a reasoned reply to the owners' pro-v posals, but he emphasised that they wero not likely to-be acceptable and that there was every prospect of a serious crisis arising. It is learned that Mr. Evan Williams, chairman of tho Mining Association, informed the Minors' Executive that the owners, for tho sake of peace and settlement, wero prepared to negotiate an agreement on national lines, but the industry must stand on its own foundation and economic basis and could not be continued by means of a Government subsidy. The owners emphatically endorse^ their opinion that an extension of working hours was an essential condition for restoring the industry. They emphaflised the necessity for an increased putput, and proposed that each district should fix its own minimum percentage and that the National Board should settle the question of a national minimum over the above district minima. The present national minimum of ,33 1-3 per cent, will not necessarily be" maintained. The owners are opposed to compulsory amalgamation, but are prepared to consider voluntary amalgamation and the reorganisation of the industry. They are opposed to any change in regard to by-products. Thoy agreed that. nationalisation was impracticable.