BRITISH COAL CRISIS

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 10687, 6 September 1920, Page 5

BRITISH COAL CRISIS

EXERCISING DIPLOMACY MINISTER HOPES TO AVERT DISASTER. , MINERS DEMAND LIVING WAGE. By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received September 5, 5.5 p.m.) ' LONDON, September 3. Sir B. S. Horne (Minister for Labour} states that he desires to leave the door open for any fresh proposals by the miners.- So far there has been no Indication of . the proposals, and nothing' has been gained by conferring with the miners’ leaders. “Until they arc put forward I shall continue to hope that the strike will, bo averted. No question, of dignity will he allowed to stand in the way of beginning negotiations.” ‘ The newspapers jiublish ; the miners' lengthy official .statement of their case, declaring that the miners are not claiming all they believe they are entitled to, but only the minimum to enable them to meet the cost of living. They also insist that the price of domestic coal shall be reduced by 14s 2d per ton,. thereby benefiting each poor family by about 90s yearly. It is stated that the Triple Alliance is waiting for fhe Government to make the next move. The longer they wait the more critical things will become. ' AN EARLIER REPORT. PEOPLE URGED TO REPLENISH GOAL STOCKS. LONDON, September 2. • The Miners’ Conference: lasted only a quarter of an hour, and it is unofficially announced that there, is no hope of mediation from the Triple Alliance, which has decided to stand by the miners. . Mr Will Adamson, M-P., says, “Get in coal, it, is going to be a big strike.” The next possibility for a move in the direction of a settlement is the Trade Union Congress, which is to meet in Portsmouth on Monday. The public generally believe the strike will not' eventuate, especially with an interval of three weeks for negotiations. ■ Efforts to settle the engineers’ dispute have failed, and the lockout begins on Saturday. In view of the number of engineer® depending on the electrical workers, it is estimated that a million: and a, half will, be affected if the electrical workers are looked out.’ It is' estimated that a coal strike would.-ren-der idle a million and a half of workers in other industries in the first week, 2,150,000 in the . second week,, and 2,643,000 in the third." MINERS SEEbTa ' LOAN. . (Received September 5, 6.5 p.m.) ■LONDON, September 4. The “Daily'Chronicle” states that the Miners’ Union yesterday sought a • loan against gilt-edged securities, i but the banks refused to provide the smews of war The miners are not desirous of selling stocks owing to depreciation, bonce they desire a loan. PUBLIC INQUIRY URGED. WOMEN TAKE A HAND. {.Received September 6, 12.50 a.in.) LONDON, September 5. A suggestion that the Government and the miners should agree to a public inquiry concerning the increased output and the relation of wages thereto is gaining adherents among the Labour leaders., .. The Potsmduth Women’s "National Political League in strenuously striving to avert a strike, and is organising a conference oi-miners and transporters’, wives in London, with, a view to proposing that the wives, equally with the husbands, should participate in the strike ballots. Many simitar conferences are being arranged in-the , provinces. • ; ! A WAY OUT. ■ > ANOTHER BALLOT PROBABLE(Received September 6,' 12.50 a.m.) LONDON, September 4. The''“Observer” emphasises ■ the' widespread growing conviction ,if Sir R. S. Horne and Mr Smillie met. a way oxtt of the impasse could .- be found. The “Sunday Times” says that Mr Smillie and Sir R- S. Horne agree to the principle of mediation. They differ only on matters of detail and machinery. ■ , . Probably the -Miners Federation will reply to Sir B. S. Horne’s- conciliatory statement, thereby, paving, the way for negotiations. It is ■ believed that if the-federation. abandoned its demand to reduce the price of ''domestic coal. Tittle' difficulty would 'bo experienced in. arriving ■at a satisfactory compromise on, the wages claim. It is reported that the Federation is ready to consider any reasonable offer, from the Government, and submit it to- a miners’ ballot. The preliminary steps, are already : being taken for another ballot.