GRAVE SITUATION

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 10538, 15 March 1920, Page 5

GRAVE SITUATION

BRITISH MINERS’ DEMANDS BIG FIGHT SAID TO BE COMING. ANTI-DIRECT DISPLEASE THE MEN. NATIONALISATION ISSUE. By Press Association—Copyrieb! Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received March 14, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, March 12. The coal-miners’ official statement says that the committee recommended a demand for higher following upon Air Lloyd George’s refusal of the miners’ proposal to reduce the price of industrial coal and reduce the amount exported. The newspapers interpret the demand as the minei’s’ reply to the Trade Union Congress vote against direct qction; also as an effort of the miners to convince the trade unionists generally that nationalisation is the only expedient to avert a national coal strike. The miners’ demands mean an addition of .£55,000,000 to the nation’s coal bill, and involves an • increased price of 3s per ton. It is believed the miners have precipitated a grave situation, which is the beginning of a great fight. It is unlikely the Government will grant the demand; therefore there is danger of serious trouble arising on the coal-fields. FEDERATION DIVIDED. WHAT THE EXTREMISTS SAY. (Received March 14, 11.5 p.m.) LONDON, Mar,ch 13. There is a difference of opinion in the Miners’'Federation. The extremists are complaining that the executive’s proposal played into the hands of the capitalists, and are urging that the miners’ demands should . not bo based on what the industry is able to bear, hut on what the workers ought to have. Finally the conference overwhelmingly accepted the executive’s recommendation. The conference .then adjourned till March 24th, when it will receive the executive's report upon the result of the application. DEMAND FOR ADVANCE. PROBABLE INTERVIEW WITH PREMIER. , Imperial News Service. (Received March 14, 0.0 p.m.) LONDON,. March 12. The Conference of the Miners’ Federation, by an overwhelming majority, decided to immediately demand an advance in wages of 3s per shift for workers over sixteen and eightpence under sixteen as from March Ist. The executive will take immediate, steps to formulate the application, and will ask for an interview with Mr Lloyd George to discuss it prior to the resumption of the conference on 'March 24th. , AN EARLIER REPORT. POPULAR BLOW TO DIRECT ACTION. \ LONDON, March 12. The greatest satisfaction at the depisivc character of to-day's vote against direct action on the question ,of nationalisation is widespread among all classes, while Labour circles express delight that. the issue has been definitely faced and finally disposed of so far as the organised trade union movement is concerned. ' A prominent Labourite expressed the opinion that the question will nRt again assume a serious form in this generation. The Miners’ Federation is meeting to-day to consider action upon this decision. The miners are now faced with the alternatives of ,a solo strike or a new wages demand, and as previously indicated, the latter is more likely. Yesterdays vote demonstrates that" the .average British trade unionist is neither a fanatic nor a revolutionary.