BRITISH COAL CRISIS

Grey River Argus, 25 June 1925, Page 5

BRITISH COAL CRISIS

MOVE TO CUT WAGES On Top of Unemployment WITH LONGER HOURS. (Aus. and N.Z. Cable Association.) LONDON, .lune 23. The crisis i’.i the coal mining iridUfltrv has been the subject of an interview with Mr Baldwin by Mr Cook, secretary of the Miners’ Federation, with a view to the Premier receiving a deputation to discuss the subject, with the object of averting a crisis. It is stated that the situation of the industry is so serious that there is little doubt that the mine owners will give ’notice on Friday to end the pre. sent wage agreement. OWNERS WANT LONGER HOURS. LONDON. June 23. At a meeting of the .joint sub.committee of enquiry into the coal industry, the London owners informed the miners that they would give a month.’? notice on .June 3l> to end the present wage agreement and requesting the Government to pa s the legislation necessary t<» enable i # < tur*i to the eight hoi.is day. The miners’ re|»tosentatives replied that they <■ •u’.d not consider the question uf longer hours, which would not s. Ive the coal mining problem. 72,000 MINERS WORKLESS. GOVERNMENT DOING NOTHING. LONDON, June 23. The outlook in the coal miming industry was drawn attention to in the House of Commons, after a reply by Mr Lane Fox who said that 351 coni mines, which under normal conditions, would be employing 72,000 men, had closed down, and had not re-opCned since November 1 and 122 employing 13 000 had opened or re.opened. Mr MacDonald asked wehther the Government was contemplating action in view of the serious position and the gravity of the situation, which might arise in the event of a dispute in this industry. Mr Baldwin, replying, recognised that discussions were proceeding between the colliery owners and miners' representative's which might have ini portant, perhaps serious consequences, but he expressed the opinion that the Government should only intervene ns a last resort. It was therefore premii. ture to make a statement. The Premier admitted that a serious and difficult position would arise if the trade were unable to adjust the < onditic«ns to enable it to compete in the world’s markets. OWNERS REFUSE TO SUBMIT PROPOSALS. (Received .June 24 at 8.30 p.m;) LONDON, June 24. The coal owners have intimated that they are not prepared to submit any proposals for a new agreement- with the miners. It is suggested that the two sides meet after the owners have a confer, ence on Thursday. OWNERS RUSE. TO COERCE MINERS. (Received June 24 at 10.40 pm.) LONDON, June 24. The- “Daily Herold” affirms that the mine owners intend, in the event of no agreement being reached by the 30th June, to post notices offering work at revised rates, thus throwing the onus for any stoppage on the miners and also preventing their receiving any unemployment insurance benefit. BALDWIN’S REFUSAL. TO CONSIDER NATIONALISATION LONDON, June 24. The Prime Minister received a deputation from the General Council of the Trades’ Union Congress, but he rejected their proposal for the nationalisation of the coal mines minerals. He said he thought it would prove more costly than the present system. RAILWAYMEN MENACED. BY WAGE CUT. LONDON, June 23. The executive of the Natibtliil Union of Railwaymen will meet, tomorrow to discuss an emergency Conference called by the railway manager-’ for Thursday in regard to the effect of the serious drop in railway companies’ receipts.