STRIKE IN FULL SWING.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLVII, Issue XLVII, 2 March 1912, Page 5

STRIKE IN FULL SWING.

(Received 11 a.m.) LONDON, Friday. The coal strike is in full swing, and over a million men ar« idle, including surfacemen. The lack of coal is hampering innumerable industries. Blast furnaces at Middles borough and in Scotland have closed down. 'A hundred thousand colliers in Scotland have struck. Fifty steamers are lying idl e at Glasgow. Owing to the lack of coal Scottish excursion trains to England have been cancelled. The English railways are• declining liability arising from delay to traffic. The Iron Exchange at Birmingham is at a standstill. Most of Lhe ironmasters are closing to-morrow.

There is much excitement. Spinners in Lancashire have a fortnight's supply of coaL The Admiralty has chartered two 6000-ton steamers to fetch American coal.

Conferences in London have been resumed, but a-Te now suspended till Monday.

Sixty-eight per. cent, of the owners now favour the minimum wage. The "Morning Leader" says that the Liberal and Conservative employers in the House of Commons are apprehensive that if the minimum' wage "is granted tominers, other classes, .earning less than the miners, will urge similar claims. The "Morning Post," emphasising that compulsory legislation will be futile, eontends that a victory for syndicalism will be a disaster of the first magnitude, and that it is the Government's paramount duty to protect free labour. The armj, territorials,, and reserves"should be used to ensure the handling of coal and the working of coal mines if necessary. It recalls M. Briand's action in smashing the railway strike.

The "Standard" says that the principle of the minimum wage is inherently -vicious and susceptible to disastrous extension. HOPES OF A SETTLEMENT. LONDON, Friday. The Premier, speaking at this morning's session of the miners confeience, emphasised that the coal' trade was the life blood of industry. The Government had considered theTprinciple of the minimum wage without class or party bias. They did not intend that what they believed to be a dwindling minority ot employers should unduly delay the attainment of the object which the Government believed the miners had properly submitted to them. The Government would make themselves responsible for securing a reasonable minimum. It was necessary for the miners to allow reasonable latitude of discussion with regajrd to particular rates. If the Government made themselves responsible they must be allowed to discuss with the miners' accredited representatives and the employers whether any particular figure was reasonable. The miners were trying to achieve the minimum rate not for the purpose of raising the wages of the coal miners as a whole, because the bulk of the coal miners already got above the minimum ; but they were., acting , } on behalf of 20 or 25 per cent who were unable to effectively care for themselves. It was p. great thing that 60 per cent, of the coal owners accepted the principle. A terrible responsibility would rest with the miners if they clung to a particular formula, or set out figures which would hinder the achievement of the result so near attainment.

The Premier concluded by appealing to the miners not to forget the great mass of the people outside,'whose welfare and existence were largely dependent on the coal trade.

"Downing tools" was carried out quietly. The men mostly left their tools in the pits, after a week's so-called play to return SviJ-h the minimum wage.

The miners' conference was delighted at the tone of. the Premier's speech, believing the sympathy of the Government would give them an immense tactical advantage m the contest with the owners ; but his plea for reasonable latitude of discussion with regard to particular rates was received with strong disfavour.

The Premier, realising this, asked committee to re-discuss the scheme with the Government to-day. The miners unanimously re-affirmed that no ternis would be accepted unless ■they include a schedule rate for each district. As the result of Sir G. R. Askwith's representations, the Northumberland coal owners, employing 70,000 miners, agreed to the principle of the minimum wage, but were unable to consent ro a minimum irrespective of the workmen's ability and disposition to earn such wane. The Labour Party have decided that if the Government do not legislate they will themselves introduce a Bill to make a statutory minimum wage on coal fields, embodying the rates agreed upon on the 2nd February. A heavy reduction of railway services is announced. THE LATEST FROM LONDON. MEN TO ENJOY THEMSELVES. (Received 9.30 a.m.) LONDON, Friday. Lord Joicey statee that the capital employed in coalmining does not yield more than above 5 per cent.

OVER A MILLION MEN IDLE. THE COUNTRY PARALYSED. THE MILITARY TO MAINTAIN ORDER (Press Association.—Copyright.)

Sir Arthur Markham says that tho net profit does jiot exceed 83d a ton, and that the njiner.s' next great fight will be for a seven-hours day. Mr. D. Thomas says that the Premier's statement is the greatest triumph for revolutionary syndicalism that has yet occurred in Britain, and not until the Act is enforced will the South Wales ownere cease their opposition. Mr. Stanton, the Welsh leader, says, "We are looking forward to a happy time and will soon get our own way. We can spend time "in pictui*e shops, e.tay in bed as long as we like, and generally enjoy ourselves." Replying to Mr. Keir Hardie, Mr. McKenna said that troops were ready for sending to South Wales if a real necessity arises, but the executive of the South Wales Federation is calling on all members to preserve order. THE BRISBANE STRIKE. THE COMMITTEE AND THE EMPLOYERS. BRISBANE, Friday. Replying to the Strike Committee's offer to declare the strike off upon*"receiving an assurance that no victimisation would be attempted, the Employers' Federation disclaimed all responsibility for the strike, and stated that it could not al.ter the terms upon which many trades had resumed- It suggested that the remaining trades apply to their respective employers for reinstatement. THE HOTEL WORKERS' STRIKE. AXJj OLD WORKERS TAKEN BACK.

(Received 8.5 a.m.) SYDNEY, \2?hi s Day. Several of the Broken Hill hotel and boardinghouse keepers attempted to reduce their staffs, owing to-the increased wages demanded. The Barrier Labour Federation ordered that all old hands should be taken back, the proprietor conceding.