THE GREAT SIGNIFICANCE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 3461, 13 October 1913, Page 5

THE GREAT SIGNIFICANCE.

THE MINERS’ DECLARATION. K FIFTY MILLION MEN AFFECTED. [UNITED PEESS ASSOCIATION—COPYEIGHT' LONDON, Oct. 10. The Miners’ Conference, by 335 to 291, negatived a resolution for a five days’ week on all coal fields. The mover declared that statisticsi showed that there was only four and a half days’ employment for all. The conference recommended that steps be taken to create a new standard of wages in connection with various conciliation boards, also a minimum of seven shillings per day for miners employed at a face, or ripping. (Received Oct. 12, 5.5 p.m.) Labor circles regard the Miners’ Federation resolution as of great significance.

Mr. Williams (secretary of the National Transport Federation) says action is necessary in view of the threat of fifty million men. For years, he says, the employers have been combining on an avowed class basis, and there is no binding influence among organised workers beyond the Trade Union Congress. Labor opinions in a dozen provincial towns are conflicting. In some centres the opinion is that the link between the trades is so indefinite that it is too early to attempt a change.