WELSHMEN DETERMINED.

Grey River Argus, 12 June 1915, Page 2

WELSHMEN DETERMINED.

NEGOTIATIONS BROKEN OFF

LONDON, June 10. Despite an increase of seventeen per centum, the South Wales miners persist in their notices expiring at the end of June, with the intention to compel the coal owners to concede a new agreement embodying the chief items of a highly contentious pre-war programme.

There were two meetings of the Conciliation Board, whereat the workers' arguments were heard. The proceedings emphasised the impossibility of a mutual settlement.

Employei-s expressed their willingness to postpone till the end of the war a discussion of their own grievances and offered meanwhile to continue the existing agreement. The men's representatives declined and negotiations were broken off.

In ihe House of Commons, Mr. Runciman, referring to the increased price of coal/ said that it was largely due to the heavy enlistment of minors. The output of the remainder lias largely increased per man, therefore tho advance in wages is justified, but taking all the facts into ' account the price at the pithead is excessive. He hoped that negotiations with the companies would effect an improvement. It not Parliament will not tolerate exploitation.

Later

The Executive of the South Wales Minors' Federation has decided to summon a general conference of South Wales delegates, also to ask coal owners to agree to n. joint nudi t of sale prices of f-oal as from July, 1914.