MINERS MARCHING THROUGH BITTER COLD TO LONDON

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6844, 25 February 1929, Page 7

MINERS MARCHING THROUGH BITTER COLD TO LONDON

Four Companies Converging

OLD MEN AND BOYS IN DRAGGLED RANKS

TO SEE MB. BALDWIN. United Press Association — By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. Deceived Sunday, 7 p.m. LONDON, Feb. 23. A party of 131 bedraggled and disconsolate unemployed miners, of ages ranging from 16 to 64, after a nine days’ tramp from Cardiff, reached Slough and spent the night in the workhouse. They are hoping to see Mr. Baldwin when they reach London. They are weary and out of spirits. They suffered severe privations in the bitterly cold weather. They at first covered 30 miles a day but latterly only five miles. Nine of them had to drop out en route through fatigue. Three other similar contingents are on their way to London from Newcastle, Scotland and the West of England. The trade unions officially discouraged the marches, holding that they serve no good .purpose but as the unemployed persisted, they made arrangements to house them in London, where they will hold a demonstration and collect fares to take them home by rail. Britain Regaining Prestige in Coal INCBEASED WORLD DEMAND. Received Monday, 2 a.m. LONDON, Feb. 24. "British coal will presently be able to compete successfully with any European coalfield,” Sir David Llewellyn, a leading coal owner, told the Sunday Times, which forecasts a great revival. He added: "British production costs are lowering and Continental costs are increasing. Tho situation is better than at any time since tho occupation of tho Ruhr.” The Lord Mayor of Newcastle, on being interviewed by the Sunday Times, notes a general improvement in tho northern coalfields, which experts declare is the commencement of permanent progress, due to the expansion of the world demand.