STORY OF LAST DAY

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

STORY OF LAST DAY

MR. BALDWIN'S EFFORTS

MINERS DECLINE OFFER OF REDUCED WAGES.

(Reuter » Telegram.)

LONDON, Ist May.

I The coal situation was critical all day long. Mr. Baldwin asked the miners to be at his room at the House of Commons at 10.30 o'clock in the morning. The miners were still awaiting him there at noon, he being still engaged at Downing Street negotiating with the coalowners. The committee, whose revised offer was understood to be based on an eight hours' day, at a slightly reduced wage, was meanwhile hurriedly convened. A meeting of the General Council of the Trade Union Congress intensified the expectancy of dramatic developments. The meeting lasted for an hour. Subsequently 1500 delegates to the Conference of Affiliated Unions assembled, awaiting the outcome of the conversations between Mr. Baldwin and the miners at the House of Commons. It was expected that a statement would be made in the House of Commons at 4 o 'clock this afternoon, but the House adjourned without a statement being made. Mr. Baldwin having left the miners considering the owners' proposals NOT BACK TO 8-HOUR DAY. The belief that a general strike was inevitable was strengthened' when it was unofficially announced that the miners had rejected the revised offer, and it was learned that a special Cabinet meeting had been summoned late in the afternoon, while arrangements were being made to bring the whole of the miners' delegates and the executive of two hundred unions affiliated with the Trade Union Congress together. The negotiations broke down because the miners finally refused to accept a reduced wage at the 1921 rate before the reorganisation of the industry. The owners offered a uniform national minimum of 20 per cent, over the standard, namely, the same percentage as the 1921 settlement. The offer was-made on the basis of an eight-hour day, because the opinion was held that in view of the poor state of the exporting districts it otherwise would be impossible to offer an acceptable uniform national minimum. The Government, in conveying this offer tf the trades unionists, guaranteed the carrying out of the Royal Commission's reorganisation proposal. The trade unionists replied expressing their willingness to co-oper-ate with the Government in instituting such a reorganisation, declaring that until reorganisation had brought the industry into greater prosperity the miners should not be called upon to surrender any of their present inadequate wages or conditions. REORGANISING INDUSTRY. The Government then inquired whether, jf the owners suspended the notices, the miners would accept the recommendation of the Royal Commission that while the reorganisation should proceed the miners should consent to a reduction of wages in the meantime. The miners replied that they were not prepared to accept s. reduction of wsiges as a preliminary to the reorganisation of the industry, but were prepared fully to consider all tho difficulties of the industry when the Government initiated its schemes of reorganisation. Tho Government finally offered, if the miners accepted tho report of the Royal Commission, including the wages recommendations, to establish an advisory committee, on which the miners and owners would be represented, to advise the Minister of Mines as to the reorganisation of the industry. The miners'

loader, in reply, made it clear that he would not accept any reduction of wages, so the negotiations terminated at 11.30. STAND BY COMMISSION. Correspondence between the Prime Minister and the miners yesterday shows that in submitting the owners' offer Mr. Baldwin reiterated the promise made the previous day that the existing seven-hour day would remain on the Statute Book, and that only temporary legislation would be used to provide the additional hours, and the Government would establish a Commission not later that 31st December, 1929, to advise whether as a result of reorganisation or better trade, or both conditions, tho coal industry had improved to such an extent as to justify a reversion to seven hours. The miners in the course of their reply pointed out that the proposal to increase the hours was contrary to the findings of the Commission. The King arrived from Windsor and attended a Privy Council at Buckingham Palace. At a demonstration of women unionists at the Albert Hall, Sir Austen Chamberlain delivered a speech on foreign affairs and the coal situation. The meeting closed with the audience standing in silent prayer for several minutes, and the organ playing the National Anthem. TO COPE WITH EMERGENCIES. The Ministry of Health has circularised the local authorities stating that in the event of a national coal stoppage the Government consider, it necessary that part of the organisation already arranged to cope.with emergencies should be set in readiness to operate. Accordingly the Ministry transmits a list of Civil Commissioners and divisional staffs which will be established on the issue of a proclamation under the Emergency Powers Acts, should the Government deem such a proclamation necessary in the national interests. The circular adds that if the stoppage is confined to the coal industry, it is hoped it will not be necessary to expand this emergency organisation extensively or call on recruits to, assist in maintaining essential services, but in the event of a stoppage of other industries affecting

such services, it is hoped the local authorities will co-operate to the 'fullest with the volunteer service committees.