EFFECT ON INDUSTRIES.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLVII, Issue XLVII, 6 March 1912, Page 5

EFFECT ON INDUSTRIES.

THREATENED RAILWAY STRIKE. tfjftsiss Association*.—Copyright.) LONDON, -Jfarch 5There are now 350.000 mert engaged in - various industries ivlle. including 10d,000 in the North Wf England : 62.0CU •in the Midlandsi TO.OOO in Wales; 6000. in the Eastern. Counties ; 20.000 in the South, of England; and 70.000 in Scotland. ' 4 The Industrial Council discussed the miners' crisis for two hours and edSeven hundred trains &ve suspended. The mea at Doncaster resolved on a strike if the Government threatened to coerce the miners. Similar ■resolutions will be moved at other railway centres. The Tailway men at Reading appealed to the National Railwaymen's Society to strike in support of the miners. " j Some of the Derbyshire miners are nvearyinjr of the strike. The miners in jSTorth Wales are dissatisfied with the minimum of 6s fixed by the Federation instead of 7s. 1 and threaten to resume. Contrary, to the Federation's recommendation the miners refused to allow se■veral collieries in Northumberland to be kept in order. The miners at Whitburn -and Durham Tefused to permit, ventila- . lion, pumping water from the pits, or the feeding ot 100 ponies. STATEMENT BY MR. ASQUITH. STTLf, HOPEFUL OF A SETTLEMENT.. (Rec. March 6- 12.30 p.m.) LONDON. March 5. The Premier in the House of Commons paid a tribute to both sides for the sfcill and calmness \vherewith were presented the cases. He affirmed the Government's acceptance of the principle of the minimum, subject to two conditions: First, that the wage must vary according to the district-; second, that it must be --accompanied by safeguards, protecting ihe masters against diminution in the •ontput treated. The miners had fixed a schedule which was outside the range of ihe negotiations, but he still hoped that a seasonable minimum would be arranged. Mr. Bonar Law, Leader of the Opposition, said that he would not dream of ■criticising the Government. It was undesirable to discuss the question, and the Opposition would not make the Government's task more difficult. AUSTRALIAN STEAMERS AFFECTED. (Received March 6, 12.30 p.m.) LONDON. March 5. Many Australian steamers are delved by the coal strike and others are exscinding part of their cargo and are filling space with coal, which is not obtainable at Las Palmas. where supplies are being reserved for homeward-bound steamers. IS THERE EXPLOITATION? (Rec. March 6. 12.50 p.m.) LONDON, March 5. ' The Labour Partv has given notice of motion to appoint a Committee to consider whether the middleman us exploiting the public by raising the price of coal. FIVE MILLION PEOPLE .AFFECTED.

(Received March 6, 12-5o a.m.) LONDON, March 5. Five million men .women and children are directly affected by the strike. Suburban trains ar p immensely overovercrowded. Some lines have reduced trains by 20 per cent. A LABOUR MEMBER'S ADVICE. (Received March 5, 12.50 p.m.) LONDON. March 5. Mr Philip Snowden, M.P., writing to the "Christian Commonwealth." says that tlie miners scored a tremendous victory in obtaining what the Government already offered, and it would be a thousand pities if a stiff-necked attitude alienates public sympathy.

BLOCKING FOREIGN COAL. (Received March 6. 8.5 a.m.) BRUSSELS, March 5. The International Union of Transport "Workers has decided to impede exportation of German, Belgian and French coal to England. ORGANISER SENT TO PRISON. (Rec. March 6. 12.30 p.m.) LONDON, March 5. . Patrick Daly, organiser of the Irish Transport Workerrs. has been sentenced fo month's imprisonment violent speech on labour troubles at Wexford. STRIKES AND COLONIAL LAW. (Rec. March 6- 12-30 p.m.) LONDON. March 5. The Board of Trade issued a text book of the laws of the British dominions and elsewhere relating to strikes. _ . Many of the newspapers have articles on the "Australian methods. The "Chron-

icle" says that in all great colonial laws fines and imprisonment are penalties fox Workmen and unions, and orogreesive parties in Britain must face this, as was done, in the dominions.