THE MINERS’ DISPUTE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19134, 31 March 1924, Page 5

THE MINERS’ DISPUTE

OWNERS FINAL OFFER. BALLOT TO BE TAKEN. Vrome Association —By Tel*Bi»ph—Copyrlpat LONDON, March 29. (Received March 30, at 5.5 p.m.) The Miners’ Delegate Conference decided to take a ballot on a recommendation to accept the recent final otl'er by the coal owners to increase the minimum rate of wages from 20 to per cent, and to give 87 per cent, of any surplus to wages, and 13 per cent, to profits instead of the present 83 and 17 per cent, respectivelyThe conference also decided to call on the Government to institute an inquiry. This will not be a strike ballot. —lieutor. RESULT OF THE BALLOT. OWNERS’ TERMS REJECTED. LONDON, March 29. (Received March 30, at 5.15 p.m.) Tlie Miners’ Delegate Conference to-day

rejected the mincowners’ terms by 502,UU0 to 271.000.—A. and N.Z. Cable. GOVERNMENT’S DIFFICULTIES. ITS BACK TO THE WALL. WIN FOR MINER MEMBERS. LONDON, March 29. (Received March 30, at 5.15 p.m.) The Daily Herald states that Mr Ramsay MacDonald and several Ministers

attended a meeting of the Parliamentary Labour Party summoned to discuss the mining situation. The ministers urged a continuance of the industriai negotiations, and eventually the meeting by a majority adopted a resolution, asking the Government to introduce a Minimum Wage Bill, without delay. The Daily Express states that Mr MacDonald is fighting with his back to the wall, trying to save the Government against a clamant section of the Labourites. Cabinet realised days ago that it could not live if it proclaimed a state of emergency. It would receive the support of the Conservatives and Liberals, but its own followers would bring it down, the miner members won a sharp battle to-oay in forcing the Government to introduce a Minimum Wag© Bill. The prospects are that when it is introduced the Government will be beaten.—A. and N.Z. Cable.