COAL CRISIS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 1 May 1926, Page 7

COAL CRISIS

POSITION VERY GRAVE STOPPAGE OP COAL HELDS IMMINENT A MILLION MEN INVOLVED ißy Electric Telegraph—Copyrfelit) (Australian & N.Z. Canto Association.) LONDON, April 30 This morning is the blackest. 'J he coun - try is faced with a complete stoppage oi (oal fields with over a million workers .idle. As a matter of fact the night shift finished tins morning and to-day’s day shift will be the last unless the men receive instructions to the contrary from the Federation. As usual, negotiations were driven to the eleventh hour. It all depends upon to-day’s happenings. It is understood yesterday’s discussions ranged round alternatives, firstly, a national minimum percentage above the 1914 wages based on the existing seven hours a day, which admittedly would involve a considerable reduction in wages; secondly, a higher minimum based iri eight hours a day, which would make the- wages in most districts equal to the present scale. The existing minimum percentage is 33 1-3 above the 1914 rates. Miners have refused absolutely so far to consider iegthening the seven hours day, which was secured by act of Parliament after a long struggle. A member of the trade union cominitete told the Daily Telegraph that there was no hope whatever of a settlement. Moreover, lie did not believe there' would e\Vn be a suspension of notices. In fact, 40,000 men had already finished their duties and brought their tools to the pithead. The premier had told them that apart from the eight hour day there was no wage lie could submit with any hope of acceptance. The Daily Herald editorially remarks that Mr Baldwin has' not reached the heart of the matter. He has allowed tile owners to concentrate,oil wages and hours and allowed the essential point., reorganisation of the industry, to fnli into the background. The miners must not. be made to pay for the owners’ mismanagement. NEGOTIATIONS CONTINUE LONDON, April 29. The coal discussions continued until after midnight, when the Premier after 21j hours’ discussion with the owners’ representatives, met the committee of miners and trade union congress, and after a brief sitting flic latter .conference adjourned till later in the morning. 'lt is stated, the owners will submit specific proposals to t'he Premier, after which he will re-confer with the joint committee of the trade union congress and the miners’ executive. It i§ understood the miners’ exeeautive definitely rejected the eight hour day proposal and that the question the Premier discussed with the owners as the immediate issue was the suspension of the employers’ notices. It is reported that the Premier indicates that he was prepared to consider an extension of State financial assistance for a few days in order to give further time for negotiations, provided owners suspended the notice. It is understood that Air Baldwin is convinced that there will be no stoppage. OWNERS’ REVISED OFFER REJECTED L LONDON, April 30. Tlie miners rejected the owners’ revised offer. CONFERENCE FAILS LONDON, April 30 The coal conference failed, and a stoppage at midnight appears certain.,