THE COAL TROUBLE.

Northern Advocate, 20 July 1915, Page 3

THE COAL TROUBLE.

NO STRIKE PAY

MEN CLAIM TO BE LOYAL.

GOVERNMENT EXPECTED TO

■GRANT DEMANDS

(Press Assn. —ilecd. 12.20 a.m.)

LONDON, July 1J)

The majority of the miners in con-/ versation hotly resent the imputations that they are unpatriotic, pointing out. the number of miners who have enlisted. Most of the leaders have sons in tlie army, the majority of them holding commissions. There was an unpleasant shock owing to the announcement that there would be no strike pay in South Wales and the war chest only contains a week's strike pay. There is no likelihood of the strikers receiving assistance from the Miners' Federation and other trade unions. Most of the men are still convinced that in this hour of national crisis they have the country at their mercy. There is a widespread impression in South Wales that Government will concede all the men's terms except the stipulation i'or ' a .three-years' agreement. Matters in dispute will be then referred to a tribunal under the Munitions Act which will decide regarding the marginal differences between Mr Runciman's award and the men's full demands. The miners would then have the right to ratify of reject the new agreement • when arranged. Tom Richards and Messrs Venion and Hartshorn, M.P.'s, state the. men believe the masters played upon their patriotism in'order to induce them to acoe;>t unwelcome terms and they be--lieve Government has been* pulled by the 'employers, who are now relying on Government to force the men into the pits.