COAL CRISIS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LVI, 17 July 1925, Page 5

COAL CRISIS

BRITISH MINING DISPUTE MINERS AND THE COURT OF ENQUIRY (By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) (Australian A N.Z. Cable Association.) LONDON, July 16. The Daily Express in a strong editorial, sav that the miners made mistake in refusing to participate in the court of enquiry. The Express proceeds that the miners have in reality a remarkably good case against the owners’ proposals, and their cause, therefore, would only gain by argument and publicity. It must be obvious that the owners’ claims do not err on the side of moderation. They are bound to give the first proofs of moderation since it is they who are tiying to effect a change, whereas the men are defending the status quo. DISTRICT SETTLEMENT M 0 VEM EN T SP REA DING LONDON, July 16. Ihe Daily Telegraph points out that though the grave decison of the Miners’ Conference militates against early settlement, it should be noticed that the men no longer insist as a preliminary upon the withdrawal of owners’ notices to terminate the old agreement. They only ask for the withdrawal of the coal-owners’ wage proposals. The Daily lelegraph adds that tin's may be the first step towards bringing 'the parties together. Miners’ leaders now expect the Government and owners to make the next move.

It is stated in the lobby in the Commons that the movement in favour of a district settlement is developing, Yorkshire and other districts being against the strike. Three hundred thousand miners are already out of work, and half of the rest, are working half-time., so the strike is most inopportune. The coal-owners say that in any circumstances they will not withdraw the notices. The withdrawal of notices will merely mean another month’s notice to end the agreement. The miners’ leaders desire to postpone the crisis until the colder weather.

Hundreds of pits are only keeping open in the hope of a new agreement next month.