RECONSTRUCTION.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume IX, Issue 83, 22 March 1919, Page 5

RECONSTRUCTION.

THE COAL MINES. GOVERNMENT FAVOURS NATIONALISATION. WAGES TO ADVANCE 2- A DAV. DAILY HOI RS REDUCED TO SIX. London, March 20. In the House oi Commons. Air. Bonar Law outlined three reports ol the Coal Commission; firstly, a report signed by the miners and the Labour repro .curatives, which recommended granting the full demands of the miners, including nationalisation ; secondly, a report signed by the coal owneis* representatives, which recommended an immediate increii-e m wages ol eighteen pence daily, ami a reduction ot hours from eight to seven ; thirdly, n report, signed by Justice Sankey and employers not directly concerned in the coal industry* recommending an immediate advance in wages ot twoshillings, namely, two-thirds ot the men’s full demands, and tlie reduction oi liours to seven Irom the middle oi July and, subject to the economic position ot the industry at the end of 1920, to six liours th rec months later. Air. I’orar Law statedthut of the Coal Commission's three reports the Government would adopt tne spirit and letter oi the one signed by Justice Sankey’ and three Cominissioners which recommended a two shillings advance daily, and se.en liours a d.iy immediately, and six hours a day later. Hu said the miners’ leaders bad never hud such a chance and would never have such another. Any strike would be against the community and the Government would use all its resources to win

Mr. Bonar Law added Justice Sankey pointed out that increased wages involved the distribution ot an additional thirty millions sterling among the colliery workers. probably without raising the prices to the consumer; furthermore, that the present system ol ownership and working stands condemned and either nationalisation or a method ot unification by national purchase or by joint control must be substituted instead. The report recommends miners henceforth having an effective voice m tlie direction of a mine, condemns the housing in some districts as a reproach to our civilisation, and suggests the immediate collection ot a penny a ton on all coal won, to be appixd to housing improvements. This would yield a million sterling annually. The Government accepted Mr. Justice Sankey's report, including the undertaking to report upon nationalisation by May 2(1, and tlie proposal of the Commission to continue to sit and issue interim reports dealing .with improvements. 'The Government has agreed to inline Lately carry out the proposals contained in A(i;. Sankey’s report. Air. Bonar Law pointed out that thi;, involved a continuance of coal control for two years.

The estimated cost of the proposals was forty-three millions, oi which thirty millions were obtainable by limiting owners' ptolits to iourteenpeuce per ton, leaving a deficit ol thirteen .millions to be secured by vari - ous anticipated economies. Mr. Bonar Law emphasised ihat the Government had gone to the utmost limits, and would light any strike, as such a struggle could have oniy one ending or there would be an end to government in the country. SINCERE EFFORT FOR JUSTICE. (Received 22, 10.5 a.m.) Paris. March 21. Mr. Lloyd George m a slalemeut said All. Justice Sankey's remarkable document showed a sincere desire to do jus lice. It was inconceivable that, tne miners would take violent action in tinface of it.—(A. and N.Z.) (Received 22, 9.2;) a.m.) London, Alarch 21. 'lhe newspapers unanimously regard .Mr. Justice bankey's lepoit as geneiou s and approve ot the Government’s attitude. They also urge the miners to prevent a catastrophic strike. TRANSPORT WORKERS’ CLAIMS. The Transport Workers' negotiations are proceeding and satisfactory settlements have been reached al home ports, including London. It is understood that the workers’ demands have been conceded. THE RAILWAYMEN. ( (INSIDER A NEW OFFER ADJOII.’N WITHOUT DECISION. London, March 2v). The Railway Executive have made a new offer which the railwaymen are considering to-night. Mr. J. .11. Thomas promises that the sitting will last all night. The railwaymen adjourned without reaching a decision. Air. Bonar Law stated in the House of Commons that the Government's offer to the railwaymen guarantees that tjie existing wages and bonuses will be maintained throughout 1919. TERMS OF THE NEW OFFER. Loudon, March 21. The Press Bureau has issued a Board of Trade anouncement that the average earnings of railwaymen lor 19J3 were 2Sd> weekly. Additions since February, .11'15, totalled 33,- weekly. The increased cost ot operating railways due to war wages and the eight-hour day was seventy-live millions annually plus twenty-live millions increase in the cost of materials. It is estimated that the cost of the new programme of the Railwaymen's Unions, including perpetuation of the war wages, will be at. least a hundred millions annually, or two hundred per centum over pre-war rates.

The Government's offer when negotiations were resumed yrsterday afternoon included the establishment of a joint committee representing the railway executive and two unions to deal with th-' questions of pay and conditions of service as they arise '1 lie Government's offer assures the railwa'uien of a continuance ol the present earnings during the current yrar instead of their having to lace a gradual reduction of "ar "age- lithe cost of living falls. The offer will necessitate an iri< reus" in railway rates, bin. it is hoped tiiat any further great itvcea-e in passenger far,"- "ill be unnecessary. OFFER REJECTED. (Received 22 1.1.5 p in.) Lmrdo’.i March 21 The railwaymen's Jeadeis have re-i'-eted the G w.-im mmu' s oiler il wages. THE “BREAK STRIKE" THREAT. AROUSES A FIG HI ING sI’IRIT. (Received 22, 2-5 L‘ m.) London. Marcii 21. The closing sentences ol Mr. Bon.ir La" - speech yesterday. annoni vmg that the Government would not ))••-.- tate to use every resource to break a strike agaiu-a the community. lute

received with loud cheeiing. followed by a vehement outbrust from Hie Labour benches. It is known that some of the miners' delegates wen- prepared to accept the report, while the others are offended at Mr. Bonar Law’s closing words, and show a fighting spiiil. Mr. Holit. Smiilic (Pie-ud- nt ot Miners' Federation). describes Mi. Bonar lain's winning as a ioolisb utterance.- (A. and N.Z.) One hundred and fifty miners’ delegates are holding a meeting at the Central Hall, at which there is sharp division of opinion.- (A. and N.Z.)