GLOOMY PROSPECTS

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 23 August 1926, Page 5

GLOOMY PROSPECTS

FOR COAL SETTLEMENT.

DRIFT BACK TO WORK CONTINUES IN THE MIDLANDS. BY CABLE—PBESB ASSOCIATION—COPYBIGHT. LONDON, Aug. 22. Labour and political circles take a gloomy view in regard) to the prospects of a coal settlement. It is uncertain whether there will be a .general drift ba.ck to work, even if the miners in many districts conclude district agreements in response to fairly generous terms. Such a process must occupy weeks. It is considered that the sole hope of an' ear.ly general termination of stoppage lies in the reassembling of Parliament on August 30. Its business is to confirm the emergency regulations, but there is no'doubt that time will 1 be given for a general discussion of the coal situation. The breakaway of Nottingham and Derbyshire - miners continues, and by noon a further 10,000 had signed on to start work on Monday. Mr A. J. Cook, -secretary to the Miners’ Federation, made an/ eleventh hour change in, his week-end plans, and he has rushed, to the Midlands to attempt to check the breakawiay. There were scenes of great enthusiasm in: many villages at th© prospect of the men resuming. A continuous stream of men) is signing on in the Manisefie.ld area, and at one , pit there was a queue 100 yards long hv nine in the morning. The men did not ask to see the terms in black and white; they were anxious to sign- as quickly as possible. Significance is attached to the fact that the Safetymen’s Union, which so far has refused to join the' stoppage, has been summoned to a. meeting in London next week. Its membership is strongest in South Wales, which is most stubborn on the subject.

A “national agreement” campaign is being initiated hv Mr A. J. Cook and his colleagues, aimed at preventing local 1 agreements.