THE COAL TROUBLE

Hokitika Guardian, 28 August 1926, Page 3

THE COAL TROUBLE

[Australian & N.Z. Cable Association.] MINERS’ LEADER ON POSITION. LONDON, Aug. 2G. The Secretary of the .Miners 1 Federation, Air A. Cook, speaking at Woodford, said that it had been decided that verbatim report of the Miners’ Conference with the Cabinet Ministers should bo issued to the press on Friday. Air Cook said that he was willing that work should he resumed on the old terms, until the mines were reorganised ; hut he declared that peace could not bo obtained by starvation. This great tragedy had gone on too long. It had cost more than the prestrike wages would have cost the coal owners over a term of two years. The miners would never return to work on longer hours. If they were foreckl back on such terms, then such an agreement would last only as long as the owners had the power to enforce it. .MINERS MEET .MINISTERS. LONDON, Aug. 2G. The Daily Telegraph’s Parliamentary correspondent says: Tile miners approached the Cabinet Ministers without a plan. They were really on a speculative expedition, hoping that the Ministers would he able to suggest some way out. The Daily Telegraph’s Parliamentary correspondent adds: “Air Churchill emphasised that the dispute was one for the parties themselves to settle, though the Government were willing to assist, if possible.” The "Financial Times’’ states: "It is understood that Air Churchill is hopeful that some important step towards peace is possible.