STRIKE COMMITTEE FORMED.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 3996, 29 July 1913, Page 5

STRIKE COMMITTEE FORMED.

SERIOUS SITUATION ON THE RAND. MINEOWNERS" CONCESSIONS DECLINED. DETAILS OF THE OFFER. [(JOTTED TRESS ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT!) (Received Julv 28, 10.30 a.m.) JOHANNESBURG, July 28. The mineowners offer half pay during the ten days’ vacation alter a year underground or two years on the surface and agree to recognise the miners’ trades union subject to conditions that the employers approve of the unionist constitution; that none of the union’s funds are used for political purposes: that the Trades Hall will not interfere in matters of discipline and management; and that employees be allowed to make representations to the masters apart from the unions. The mineowners added that any extension of concessions involved the closing of a very considerable number of mines. Mr Malan (Minister for Mines) has informed the Labor leaders that the Government regards the mineowners’ concessions as very substantial. One hundred and twenty delegates of the Trades Federation conferred throughout Sunday. The chief obstacles to a settlement are that the miners demand a minimum wage and the inclusion of winding time in the totalling of hours. The Federation finally decided that the concessions were inadaquato, and a strike committee was formed. The conference of Ministers at Pretoria completed elaborate precautions for maintaining order. The Trades Federation has cabled to the Labor Party of Britain protesting against the mobilisation oi troops, and in the interest of the mineowners.