THE COAL CRISIS DEEPENS

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 14924, 23 February 1912, Page 7

THE COAL CRISIS DEEPENS

AN OWNER ON THE TROUBLE

SHOULD NOT BE POSTPONED. CONFIDENCE *OF MINERS. "COULD NOT BE BEATEN." By Telegraph.—Press Association.— (Received February 23, 12.45 a.m.) London, February 22. A coalmine owner, Mr. Thomas, stated that the South Wales owners had made up their minds against a postponement of the miners' strike except under force majeure. Negotiations would proceed as well with the pits stopped as with them working. The only service required of the Government would be to preserve order and to protect property. Mr. Hartshorn, who has been the guiding spirit of the miners, speaking at Macs tog, said that the miners could not be beaten. No leader would approve of any other course than a strike without being guiltv of treachery. MINISTERS TO CONFER. .(Received February 23. 12.45 a.m.) London, February 22. The Ministers who will be with the Prime Minister when he confers with .the coalmine owners and the miners are Sir Edward Grey (Secretary* for Foreign Affairs), Mr. Lloyd-George (Chancellor of the Exchequer), and Mr. Sydney Buxton (President of the Board of Trade). Sir George Askwith, Board of Trade Concilia- | tor, will also be present, A UNIONIST ASSURANCE. (Received February 25. 12.45 a.m.) London, February 22. . Mr. F. E. Smith, M.P. (Unionist) speaking at Ramsgate, said that all sections of the community would support the Government in any well considered efforts to prevent the arbitrament of force, in connection with the coal trouble.

RATES ASKED AND OFFERED OWNERS' DEFENSIVE PLANS. CONTINENTAL ATTITUDE. London, February 21. The English coalminers have considered the proposal of the. English coalmine owners to pay a minimum ! daily rate of 7s lid for work in abnormal places, and of 6s lAd for work in ether places. In reply, the miners demand the following minimum rates : — Ordinary places. Abnormal places. Per day. Per day. s. d. g. d. In Yorkshire ... 7 6 — ~ Lancashire ... 7 0 — .. Midlands ... 6 0 7 0 „ Derbyshire ... 7 li 7 6 The minimum proposed for other adults is f>s a day The miners refuse the proposal that wages should not be changed for two years. They are willing to establish committees to secure a fair working of the scheme. The coalmine owners and the miners have accepted the Prime Minister's invitation to attend separate conferences with him at the Foreign Office. Many British colliery owners are barricading the pits, and some have engaged ex-soldiers to guard their properties, particularly the stores of coal. The executive of the International Miners' Federation discussed sympathetic action. The French and Belgian delegates promised active co-operation with the British miners. GLASGOW DOCKERS' TROUBLE , London, February 21. Baron Mersey arbitrated on the question of interpretation of the Glasgow dockers' agreement, and decided in favour of the masters.