THE COAL CRISIS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18050, 25 September 1920, Page 9

THE COAL CRISIS

DEPUTATION TO PRIME MINISTER.

TRIPLE ALLIANCE NEGOTIATIONS

Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright.

_ LONDON, September 23. Ihe Triple Alliance deputation to the Prime Minister included the Miners' Federation; Messrs J. 11. Thomas, M.P., and Cramp, on behalf of the railway inon , and Messrs Williams and Gosling, for the transporters. The Prime Minister was accompanied by Sir Robert Homo, Sir Eric Geddes (Minister of Transport), and Sir David Shaokleton (Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Labour). The oflicial report shows that tho representatives of the railwa-ymen and transport workers -warmly supported the miners' wages claim, Mr Lloyd George insisted that if the miners persisted in their demand for increased wages, that demand must be submitted to a tribunal whoso impartiaJity the miners could not challenge; but ho proposed as an alternative that the miners and mineowners meet, and agree on a scheme which would make an increase in wages dependent on an in crease in the coal output. The Prime Minister suggested that the level of tho output should bo fixed, and that all oufcpnt above the level should involve extra remuneration. This level might even do fixed below the present output, thus assuring a certain increase in wages immediately. The Government was prepared to make this concession, in view of the advantage to the country of securing a relation between wages and output. Mr Lloyd George urged the miners to suspend their strike notices for a week or a fortnight while they examined with the mineowners the feasibility of the above plan. The miners still urged an immediate advance of 2s, but at a subsequent conferance they deliberated privately on the new situation created.—Renter. LONDON, September 23. The Triple Alliance Conference resumed, but adjourned immediately in order that each section might consider the report o£ the joint deputation to the Prime Minister last night. It is now announced that the conference of the miners' delegates rejected a proposal to take a second ballot on the question of submitting the 2s wage claim to arbitration. It is understood that a letter from Mr Lloyd George to Mr R. Smillie»was read at the miners' delegates' conference.— Renter.

A SYMPATHETIC STRIKE.

FRESH BALLOT DECLINED

LONDON, September 24. (Received Sept. 24, at 5.5 p.m.) It is unofficially stated that the miners' vote resulted in 360 for and 545 against a fresh ballot. Mr Smillie strongly advocated the affirmative, and it is reported that he even threatened to resign if the way was blocked to a conciliatory settlement, but the other leaders dissuaded him. It is believed that the protracted character of the Triple Alliance's proceedings is due to the strong aversion of tho rail■waymen and transport workers to a sympathetic strike, and they may yet induce the miners to consent to a second ballot —A. and N.Z. Cable. (Received Sept. 24, at 10.30 pan.) _ The Triple Alliance sat the whole evening. It is reported that it discussed the question of direct action by the railwaymen and transport workers -with the miners, who claimed that the position was imaltered by the intervention of the Prime Minister. The conference eventually adjourned until to-morrow. The alliance apparently is discussing- whether the railwaymen and transport workers will give tie miners active or only moral support — Renter.