COAL STRIKE PERIL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 14925, 24 February 1912, Page 7

COAL STRIKE PERIL.

CONFERENCES ADJOURNED.

TIMES WARNS GOVERNMENT

THE OUTLOOK IS GLOOMY.

By Telegraph.— Frew Association.--Copyright (Received February 24, 12.5 a-m.)

LONDON, February 23. The Prime Minister, assisted by Sir Edward Grey (Secretary for Foreign Affairs), Mr. Lloyd-George (Chancellor of the Exchequer), Mr. Sydney Buxton (President of the Board of Trade), and Sir George Askwith, Board of Trade Conciliator, conferred for two hours to-day with the miners' representatives. Later they conferred with 70 coalowners, and finally again conferred with the miners. The result of the deliberations is so far kept secret. The conferences have been adjourned till Tuesday, when representatives of the Miners' National Conference will be invited to join in the negotiations. The magistrates at Rhondda, Wales, have applied for 1500 troops. The Times is urging the Government to prepare for the worst, and says that it is doubtful whether any decision of the Miners' National Conference in the direction of peace would command obedience in South Wales. The newspaper Labour Leader declares that unless the. Government compels the owners to submit, a stoppage of the mines is inevitable. NO DETRIMENT TO NATION. GOVERNMENT WILL BE FIRM. (Received February 24. 1.5 a.m.) London, February 23. Speaking at Bristol, Mr. Birrell (Chief Secretary for Ireland) said that he hoped for a settlement of the miners' coal trouble, but that neither the owners nor the miners would be allowed to act in any way that would be to the detriment of the nation.

COAL PRICES AND CREDIT. NAVY BUYING UP WELSH. London, February 22. In addition to sending an order to America for 10,000 tons of steam coal for the Mediterranean fleet, the Admiralty is purchasing all the available coal in South Wales. The Wholesale Provision Dealers' Association of Bristol has decided to suspend credit terms to retailers in South Wales in the event of a strike. The price of the best coal in London has been raised to 34s a ton. ENGINEMEN TO QUIT WORK. London, February 22. The enginemen of Durham county have decided to strike on March 11. The masters refused them an eight hours day and an advance in wages. BERLIN NEWSPAPER OPINION. GERMAN STRIKE UNLIKELY. (Received February. 23. 8.10 p.m.) Beblix, February 23. With regard to the threatened coal strike in Britain, the consensus of German newspaper opinion is sympathetic, but it is considered that a coal strike in Germany is unlikely. EFFECT ON SPANISH WORKS. Madeid, February 22. The Minister for the Interior fears that the coal strike in Britain will close many works in Spain.