RECORD STRIKE FEARED.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19062, 6 July 1925, Page 9

RECORD STRIKE FEARED.

BRITISH COALMINERS. OWNERS' SCHEME REJECTED. OBJECTIONS IN DETAIL. ALLIANCE PLAN REVIVED. V By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyrisht (Received 5.5 p.m.) Router. LONDON. July 3. Tho miners have decided to resist the coalmine owners' proposals. The Labour paper, the Daily Herald, says the Miners' Federation came to this decision for the following reasons: —(1) Tho removal of the guaranteed minimum wages which are already declared by tho men to bo below the cost of living level: (2) that the provision is guaranteed for profits irrespective of wages; (3) that tho proposals would mean .an immediate reduction in wages of from 13.14 per cent. to 47.91 per cent.; (4) the continued separation under the proposals of mining operations from tho coking by-product and other departments. Tho miners are reported to be hopeful that they will receive help from tho other great unions in resisting the ownera' proposals. Mr. Herbert Smith presided at a meeting of the sub-committee appointed to work out the details of the proposed alliance of miners, railwaymen, transport workers and engineers. Tho meeting was engaged for two hours in amending the suggested constitution of tho alliance. This must bo submitted to the various unions and a further conference must bo held. What the miners most resent is tho suggestion that the ownors' profits should become a first charge on the industry and that tho minimum wage should disappear from national schemes. They regard the proposals as a reversion to district settlement, and the consequent jveakening of the federation. The only hope of averting the biggest miners' fight on record is the owners' suggestion of a conference before July 31 (when tho existing agreement will terminate) and the possibilty of Government intervention.