THE FINAL PROCEEDINGS

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 104, 3 May 1926, Page 9

THE FINAL PROCEEDINGS

GOVERNMENT ACTED TOO LATE,

(Australian-New Zealand Cable Assn.) LONDON, Ist May.

In rejecting the owners' offer the miners said they regretted that though the Coal Commission's report was issued on 6th March the owners only submitted their proposal as late as 30th April at 1.15 o'clock in the afternoon, when two-thirds of the mine workers were already locked out. They added that seven hours were sufficient in which to supply all the coal for which a market could be found, and they were also as long as a man should pursue a dangerous and arduous calling. The Trades Union delegates, after hearing Mr. Thomas and other speakers, adjourned early in the morning until noon. Mr. Thomas, who was pale and tired, ' dramatically declared that never had a Government , made such a blunder. Ho stressed the fact that the' first definite concrete national proposal was only submitted yesterday afternoon, though it was nearly eight months' since the Coal Commission was constituted.