BRITISH COAL TRADE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19761, 12 April 1926, Page 9

BRITISH COAL TRADE

MINERS’ DELEGATES CONFER. EFFORTS TO AVOID CONFLICT. (Press Association—By Telegraph —Copyright.) LONDON, April 9. The National Delegate Conference of miners privately discussed in London today the proposals of the coal owners arising from the coal report. The executive recommended the rejection of the proposals and a firm stand against district agreements or reductions of wages and extensions of hours. It also recommended a demand for a national wages agreement and a national minimum percentage. The conference did not reach a definite conclusion, and another delegate conference is being called to arrive at a final decision. The executive succeeded in maintaining a moderate policy and avoided for the moment a decision which would have the effect of rejecting the owners ’proposals outright and creating a deadlock. It is possible that the miners' leaders will confer with the Government before meeting the owners. The Miners’ Executive, acting on the advice of the Industrial Committee of the Trades Union Congress, that negotiations should be continued in order that the points of difference between the parties might be reduced to the smallest dimensions, invited the owners to meet them and immediately to continue negotiations —Reuter.