COAL CRISIS RAY OF HOPE

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 17 July 1925, Page 5

COAL CRISIS

RAY OF HOPE

STRIKE UNPOPULAR

DISTRICT SETTLEMENTS MOOTED

BY CABLE—PRESS ASSOCIATION-COPYRIGHT

LONDON, July 16. The Daily Telegraph points out that though the grave decision of the miners’ conference not to accept a court of inquiry militates against an early settlement, it should be noticed that the men no longer insist, as a preliminary to negotiations, upon the withdrawal of the owners’ notices to terminate the old agreement. They only ask for the withdrawal of the coal owners’ wage proposals. The Daily Telegraph adds: “This may be the first step towards bringing the parties together. The miners’ leaders now expect the Government and the owners to make the next move.” It is stated in the lobby of the House of Commons that a movement in favour of district settlements is developing, Yorkshire and other districts being against a strike. Three hundred thousand miners are already out _of work, and half of the rest are working half-time, so a strike is most inopportune.

The coal owners say that in any circumstances they will not withdraw their notices. 'The withdrawal of the notices will merely mean another month’s notice to end the agreement, the miners’ leaders desiring to postpone the crisis until colder weather. Hundreds of pits are only keeping open in the hope of a new agreement next month.

The Daily Express, in a strong editorial. says the miners made a mistake in refusing to participate in the court of inquiry' The Express proceeds: “The miners have in reality a remarkably good case against the owners’ proposals, and their cause therefore will only gain by argument and publicity. Tt must be obvious that the owners’ claims do not err on the side of moderation. Thev are bound to give the first proofs of moderation, since it is they who are trying to effect _ a change, whereas the men are defending their status quo.