BRITAIN UNDER COAL STRIKE

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 51, 28 August 1926, Page 9

BRITAIN UNDER COAL STRIKE

LOSS NOT NEARLY SO BIG AS, EXPECTED •

CHURCHILL'S JAUNTY REPLY TO

MINERS

(United Press Association.—Copyright) (Router'i TetafiMun.)

(Received 28th August, noon,)

LONDON, 27th August.

A verbatim report of the conversations at Downing' Street yesterday, shows that Mr. Herbert' Smith, president of the Miners' Federation, said that the miners were anxious to set what good offices the Government could render towards a ; solution, also what temporary financial help the Govern* ment could give. ■ '

Mr. Churchill replied that he estimated at the .beginning of the coal stoppage that the country would loss ten times as much as it actually had done. The country had shown a most extraordinary power.' for carrying on. Coal was coming in freely, nearly a millions tons a week. Furthermore, there was a certain domestic output. "We are undoubtedly in the position," he said, "of carrying on the life of the country without difficulty." That was, lie added, a. most remarkable new fact. '• ...■.,'• Mr. Smith: "We an not. her* to make a petition, but; to gat an honourable settlement. We can carry on the fight a bit fnrtiwr. W« have been doing our utmost to avoid pit-flooding, but after Mr. ChurcnlU'i • speech we must fight up." Mr. Churchill replied that the Government was prepared to help toward* . a settlement, but it had only been asked for. a renewal of financial assistance, restraint. The Local Government Loam which was impossible. '