COAL CRISIS

Gisborne Times, Volume LIII, Issue 5583, 11 September 1920, Page 5

COAL CRISIS

CONFERENCE ABORTIVE.

TALK OF GENERAL ELECTION,

COUNTRY MAY DECIDE ON POLICY OF DIRECT ACTION.

BARNES STATES MEN’S DEMANDS ILLEGITIMATE.

United Press Association— Oopyriehf LONDON, Sept. 10. The conference between the Miners’ Executive and the Minister of Labor, from which so much was hoiked, failed. Mr. Smillic informed Sir- R. Horne that the executive was of the opinion there were no new proposals in his statement which in their judgment would ]ead to a satisfactory settlement. The miner® claim that the conference then terminated. — Router. (Received Sept. 10. 8.5 p.xn.) LONDON, Sept. 10. _ The Daily News states that political circles are discussing a general election and the coal issue. Mr Lloyd George does not desire to appeal to the country until after next session, hut, if essential, he may ash the country to register its verdict on the policy" of direct action, which would enable Cabinet to deal drastically with such threats in the future. Mr. Barnes, spea'king at Glasgow, said the miners’ demands we.ro that coal prices bo dropped; 14s 2d was an illegitimate demand. It was outside the scope of any sectional body in the country. It would not mean a present to the consumers of coal, as it would have to be paid for by taxation. The Government might reasonably say: “Let things.go qn for two or three years, during which nationalisation and wages might be fully and freely considered.”—A. and N.Z. Cable Assn. (Received Sept. 10. 10.40 p.m.) LONDON. Sept. 9. The Coal Association circulates <1 remarkable, comparison of the miners’ output and pay in Britain and America. The pit-head price in America is 12s lOd; in England 31s 3d. The output per shift is 3.12 tons in England and .77 of a ton in America. Tlie average weekly wage in America is 160 s; in England 100 s.—A. and N.Z.C.A.