BRITISH COAL DISPUTE

Grey River Argus, 29 July 1925, Page 5

BRITISH COAL DISPUTE

BALDWIN’S ATTEMPT

To Avoid Lock-Out

LOAN F(.)R COAL INDUSTRY. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn.) LONDON, July 27. Mr. Baldwin, this morning, li.-t the first- time, intervened personally in (he coal dispute- He conferred at Downing Street for iliiee-qutii'tei's of nil hour with a committee of Lrado Union Congress, which was empowered to act lor the miners. It is understood that as the result of the interview the Premier has tin dertaken to handle the coal crisis limiself. Mr. Baldwin was accompanied by Mr. Bridgeman, Sir A. SteelMaitland, and Mr. Lane 1-ox.

An official statement says that the Trade Vnion deputation urged the Premier ta make an early pronouncement requesting the owners to postpone the notices, withdraw the proposals and allow the men to work cn the terms of the -present agreement, pending negotiations. Tho Premier told the deputation that he hoped to confer with the. owners to-morrow. It is understood from an authoritative source that the deputation sug gested some form of outside assistance to the co ; d mining industry is necessary, if further serious difficulties are to be avoided. OWNERS HOLT. OF STATE SUBSIDY. LONDON. July 27. It is persistently reported that rhe Government has considered the question of a temporary subsidy to the coal industry, to tide over the ] resent difficulties. The Court of Enquiry is said to have made a recommendation to this effect. MINERS ASKED TO GIVE WAY LONDON, July 27 Mr. Cook, the Coal Miners' Secretary, when interviewed, was pessimis tic. He expressed the opinion that thei'e was very little hope of a peaceful settlement, as the statesmen seemed to have nothing better to suggest tlniiii a compromise by the m'ners. MINERS IN' THE RIGHT. LONDON, July 27. Mr. Stephen Walsh, in a speech nt Wigan, characterised the coal owners’ proposals as infernal. He said that the miners’ claims were not impossible; it was for the Government to see that they were granted. Will Owners Give Way? AT BALDWIN’S REQUEST. LONDON, July 27. The “Daily Express’ •’understands that Mr Baldwin will ask the con l owners t > withdraw their notices to end the National Agreement, pending now investigations as to profits and loss, wages and working costs. The Government, meanwhile, arc offering a limited guarantee against any losses due to delay.