THE DYING STRIKE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19791, 17 May 1926, Page 7

THE DYING STRIKE.

CLEARING THE AIR. RAILWAYMEN RESUME WORK. PARTIAL SETTLEMENT IN PRINTING TRADES. GOVERNMENT’S PROPOSALS TO THE MINERS. The latest information regarding the British strike must be considered as very satisfactory. The railwayman have come to a settlement with the companies; the dockers’ strike has ended, and a partial settlement has been come to with the printing trades. The Government has submitted its proposals for the settlement of the mining dispute. These have been considered by the men, who. however, have not arrived at any definite decision in the meantime. The sectional strikes in various parts of Britain appear now to be dying out. (Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright.)

IMPORTANT PROPOSALS. BASED ON ROYAL COMMISSION’S FINDINGS. COMPREHENSIVE DETAILS. ASSISTANCE BY GOVERNMENT. LONDON, May 14. The Mines Department announces that the Government’s proposals for a settlement of the mining dispute is on the lines •set out by the Royal Commission. The proposals are: First, in accordance with the Commission’s recommendations, all practicable means of improving the organisation and increasing the efficiency of the industry shall be adopted. Secondly, the Government shall immediately introduce four Bills giving effect to the Commission's proposals regarding amalgamation, provision for welfare, levy on the royalty id owners, the establishment of pithead baths, a restriction on recruitment in mines, and the establishment of a National Wages Board similar to the Railway Wages Board, also the setting up of a National Fuel Power Council on which Labour will be represented, and a Wagon Committee, the appointing of a committee to investigate the question of selling syndicates, the appointing of a committee to examine the Coal Commission's profit-sharing proposals and family allowances, the preparation of a scheme for the establishment of pit committees, assisting men displaced from pits, and establishing a Committee of Housing in the colliery districts. Thirdly, before legislation is introduced a full statement of the proposals shall be submitted by the Coal Advisory Committee to the Secretary of Mines, whose duty will be to review the progress and fulfilment of the Commission's recommendations, and to make recommendations thereon. In the event of the Secretary of Mines deciding not to adopt any of tbe committee’s recommendations, they shall, be submitted to Parliament, together with an explanation of his action. Fourthly, the Government further to financially assist the industry to the extent of £3,000,C00. Fifthly, for an unstated period the miners to accept an unstated reduction of wages, other than the subsistence rates, the owners making up the proportion of the reduction, the Government the remainder.

Sixthly, a board to be established, consisting of three representatives,—a coal owner, a miners’ representative, and an independent chairman, —to frame a national wages and hours agreement, governing the principle on which the wages minimum percentage shall be ascertained. taking into consideration the state and prospects of the trade reorganisation proposals.

The principle followed in reinstatement will be seniority in each grade. The trade unions admit that in calling the strike they committed a wrongful act against the companies, and agree that the companies do not, by reinstatement, surrender their legal rights to claim damages arising out of the strike from the strikers or others responsible. The unions undertake : (1) Not to again call a strike without previous negotiations. (2) To give no support of any kind to their members who take unauthorised action. (5) Not to encourage supervisory employees to participate in any strike. The companies intimate that it may be necessary, arising out of the strike, to remove certain persons from other positions, but without a reduction in wages. Each company will notify the unions within a weak of the names of the men it is proposed to transfer, and will afford each man an opportiurty of having an advocate to present 1 is case to the general manager. The settlement does not apply to persons guilty of violence or intimidation. At the conclusion of the signing of the railway agreement Mr Thomas said that, considering all the circumstances, the settlement, was eminently satisfactory. He hoped that the men would accept it in a genuine desire to do all humanly possible to immediately restart the wheels of industry.—Reuter.! • DOCKERS’ STRIKE SETTLED LONDON, May 15. (Received May 16, at 11.30 p.m.) The dockers’ strike has been settled. The general printing trade has made arrangements for resumption on a day to day basis, pending a national settlement, which will be discussed on Thursday next. —A. and N.Z. Cable. NEWSPAPER OPINIONS. SEVERAL VIEWPOINTS. NO TIME FOR REVILINGS. FORECASTING MINERS’ DECISION. LONDON, May IS. (Received May 16, at 11.5 p.m.) .The Sunday morning newspaper situation remains most- curious. No newspapers are publishing normally from the offices, yet four-page sheets, more or less resembling the usual productions, were circulated to a small extent on Saturday. The Daily Chronicle editorially says, “The general strike has for the time being denleted the wages fund. Fewer orders will be booked and fewer jobs will be going. Some reductions in staff will, in many cases, be inevitable.” The Daily Express in an editorial headed ‘‘No Victimisation,” says; “The hotheads have had a lesson. It is important to emphasise that the policy of cutting the basic wage as a means to procure safeguards will defeat its purpose. Good wages make contented workmen.” The Westminster Gazette says: “The strike failed because the people as a whole organised their own defence against it. England remains a constitutional country to the backbone, but the sympathy of the people has remained with the miners throughout.” The Daily Mail in a leader headed “No Reprisals,” says: “The strikers are our own countrymen. They have acted under a sense of loyalty to the trade unions. The more generously employers behave the sooner the men will understand how they have been misled.” The position of the Sunday papers is obscure. Most of the offices are closed. The Sunday Express, however, has issued a four-page paper under strike conditions containing up-to-date news. It understands that it is unlikely the miners will accept the Government’s proposals tor settling the dispute. The Government in this event will probably take firm steps to bring the dispute to an end. Editorially the paper says: "Trades unionism, if wisely led, will now march forward on the old safe path, and will scrap the wild fanatics. The wisest workers will feel they have been used for and bv a political conspiracy, but this is no time for revilings. The good employer does not seek to reduce wages. The good worker is willing to give loyal service.” INDUSTRIAL UNREST IN FRANCE. GENERAL STRIKE THREATENED. PARIS May 16. A general strike is threatened in France. The Council of the Miners’ Federation has carried a resolution, firstly, demanding an immediate discussion on the question of an increase in wages, and if no solution is reached by May 25 the federation will be obliged to envisage the general strike movement. Secondly, supporting the decisions of the International Committee concerning the boycott of coal in order to assist the British miners.-—A. and N.Z Cable. KcDENTMENT BY RAILWAYMEN. LONDON, May 16. (Received May 17, at 1 a.m.) Some difficulties arc reported from provincial districts regarding the railwaymen, who describe the companies terms as humiliating, but these are expected to be fixed up by the week-end. —A. and N.Z. Cable.

Other relevant factors are that the subsistence wages shall not be reduced in any district where at present 455, or less, is paid. The board shall issue a decision within three days in the event of a disagreement on the question of the wages, the decision will rest with the independent chairman. Seventhly, if the parlies agree that a temporary alteration in the hours of work is advisable, the Government will propose the necessary legislation and facilitate for its passage. Eighthly, any balance of the subsidy will be available for a tapering subsidy after the unspecified period, previously mentioned, or otherwise as agreed.—A. and N.Z. Cable. RAILWAY STRIKE SETTLED. ADMISSION BY TRADE UNIONS. STATEMENT BY MR THOMAS. LONDON, May 14. A settlement has been reached in the railway strike. The terms of the agreement between the railway companies and the unions provide that the strikers will be taken back as traffic offers and when work can be found.

EARLIER NEGOTIATIONS. INFORMATION BY PRIME MINISTER. LONDON. May 14. Mr Baldwin was loudly cheered by the Conservatives, and to some extent by the Labourites, when he gave the House of Commons the latest authoritative information as regards the industrial situation before the separation for the week-end. He said that the negotiations as regards the docks and certain forms of transport were pursuing their normal course. An agreement had been reached for a resumption of the tramway and tube services to-morrow, but the terms of the settlement were not yet available. He next referred to the prospects of an imminent railway settlement. The Prime Minister said that there was no possibility of the parties to the mining dispute agreeing between themselves. He had therefore prepared proposals which ha was of opinion would form a reasonable and fair basis of settlement, and which would be handed them at the week-end for consideration. The Trade Unions Council reports that there is a considerable improvement in the situation betwen the workers and the employers. The council declares that tirms and big companies are more inclined to meet the representatives of the workers and to make arrangements for a resumption of work without raising the question of new agreements.—Reuter. UNDERGROUND RAILWAYMEN. LONDON, May 14. At a meeting at the Underground Railwaymen’s Union headquarters last night a satisfactory settlement of the strike was concluded between the companies and the unions concerned. It is hoped that ,a normal service of the underground railways, the London Omnibus Company, and the allied tramways will operate in London to-morow. —.Reuter. IMPROVEMENT ON STOCK EXCHANGE. LONDON, May 14. The improved labour position is reflected on the Stock Exchange, prices being firmer in every department, though business is limited by the small quantity of stocks offering.—A. and M.Z. Cable. NEWSPAPER EMPLOYEES RETURN. LONDON, May 14. The Edinburgh Evening News decided to return to the “open shop” principle in connection with the printing staff. The men resumed on that understanding.— Reuter. COMMENT BY JAPANESE PAPERS. FEARS FOR THE FUTURE. TOKIO, May 14. All the newspapers express admiration at the moderation and good sense shown by both the strikers and the Government in settling the British strike. The Kokumin says that it fears, that an agreement has keen concluded without touching the root of the whole trouble; it is little short of a truce, in which event the present victory of British common sense only heralds a graver ordeal in the future.—Reuter. COMMUNISTS ARRESTED. LONDON, May 14. Seven Communists were arrested following a police raid of several premises at Salford. —Reuter. REMANDED ON BAIL. LONDON, May 15. (i\eceived May 16, at 11.30 p.m.) Charged with possessing documents contravening the emergency regulations, George Stewart, acting general secretary of the Communist Party, was remanded for a week on bail. The arrest was the sequel of a, police search of the Communist headquarters on the second day of the strike.—A. and N.Z. Cable. ALLEGED FALSE NEWS. TRIAL OF “ABOUE LEADERS. LONDON, May 14. At the conclusion of the trial of 20 defendants at Birmingham on a charge of 'publishing false statements, two were discharged, 10 were lined £lO, and eight were bound over. Notice of appeal was given.—A. and N.Z. Cable. A sensation was caused by a police raid on the offices of the Birmingham Joint Trade Unions’ Emergency Committee, which published a daily strike bulletin. Twenty leading Labourites concerned in the publication were charged with publishing a false statement likely to cause disaffection—namely, that the Government had been defeated in the House of Commons. The principal defendants were Frederick Rudland (secretary of the Birmingham Trades Council), George Saynes (secretary of the Midland Bakery Operatives Union), and Chas. Brett, (a trade union official), all justices of the peace; also Evelyn St. Loe Strachey, who contested the Aston Division at the last general election. HOLIDAY SPIRIT IN LONDON. PAY FOR MINERS. PRINTING TRADES STILL UNSETTLED. LONDON, May 15. (Received May 16, at 5.5 p.m.) The welcome news that the strike had been settled brought great crowds to the city yesterday, but normal facilities for transportation not having been restored the handling of these crowds provided a greater difficulty than when the strike was in full swing. Trouble was added to by free lance vehicles running when the strike was in operation and stopping as soon as it was called cff. Drenching rain made things most uncomfortable, but the crowds accepted the position in good humour and a carnival spirit prevailed under the realisation of the fact that the trouble was ending and normal conditions would be restored. The Prince of Wales, presiding at the annual meeting of the King Edward Hospital Fund, said he sincerely trusted hopes of peace present in the people’s mind would be realised. Another symptom of London’s recovery of her placid outlook was the Queen shopping in Bond street. Everybody has been commenting on the regular attendance of the Prince of Wales and the Duke of York to observe developments in the House of Commons. Three thousand employees at the Atherton collieries, Lancashire, unemployed owing to the strike, were delighted to receive 15s each from the firm. A week’s strike money was paid to -m,OOO Derbyshire miners at the rate of lbs a man, with 2s for each child under 14. The funds, which amount to £250,0CX), were expected to last a month. The Nottingham miners have no funds to distribute strike pay. It is uncertain whether the Sunday papers will be published. The Federation of Wholesale Newsagents has resolved that it will henceforth conduct its business as free houses and take on either union cf non-union labour at pre-strike rates and hours. Scottish newspapers, except those deciding to employ non-union labour, have agreed to a resumption on Saturday, the workers agreeing that there will be no interference wdth the contents. , LONDON, May 15. The miners’ c-ecutive last night con'd the Government’s proposals and after n long sitting mi- Cook said the documents must be fully examined by the executive and a conference of delegates and the mine workers must also have the proposals fullv explained. There is still no settlement in the printing strike. A conference in London between the Master Printers and the Newspaper Society and printing trade unions discussed the restarting of the general printing trade in the London provinces, but adjourned. Similarly, further meetings between t'm Ncwsoaoers Proprietors’

Association, representing the London newspapers and printing trade unions were abortive. —A. and N.Z, Cable. NORMAL CONDITIONS IN LONDON. NO SETTLEMENT AT THE DOCKS. LONDON, May 15. (Received May 16, at 7.7 p.m.) London soon found its stride this morning. The streets are normal and there are plenty of buses, trams, and tubes, but the railways will not be in a normal condition till Monday. There is no settlement at the docks, where volunteers are loading two huge** f ood convoys. The dock parties are negotiating to-day. MINERS’ DELEGATES CONFER. GOVERNMENT PROPOSALS CONSIDERED. ’ EXPLANATIONS WANTED. LONDON. May 15. (Received May 16, at 7.7 p.m.) The conference of miners’ delegates, which assembled yesterday, briefly considered the Government proposals and then adjourned to May 20 without reaching a decision. The delegates are proceeding to their homes where the scheme will likely be examined. A statement says that Mr Herbert Smith informed the delegates that the executive had decided that there was much in the Government’s proposals that required explanation. This would be sought from the Government representative. LOYAL TRADE UNIONISTS. ASSISTANCE PLEDGED. LONDON, May 15. (Received May 16, at 7.7 p.m.) During the adjournment the miners’ conference carried a resolution expressing profound appreciation at tne self-sacrificing loyalty of fellow trade unionists and pledging itself to assist in the utmost any organisation which at the termination of the stoppage was confronted with difficulties arising from the strike.—Reuter. NEW ZEALAND LABOUR PARTY. CASE FOR THE MINERS. MR COATES’S STATEMENT CRITICISED. A manifesto has been issued from the head office of the New Zealand Labour Party stating the miners’ case and traversing the statement issued by Mr Coates the other day. In summary the manifesto states:— The supreme point of importance is that, whilst the productive capacity of the nation is capable of providing sufficient food, clothing, and housing for its people, no economic situation can justify the payment to the miner of wages below the cost-ot-living level. Second to the question of wages is that of hours. The hazardous nature of the employment, the tax on the physical capacity of the miner, the unhealthy atmosphere in the mines, and the liability to disease are such that every human being, understanding the conditions, will support the miners in their contention that the number of hours of strenuous .labour under these conditions should not be increased beyond the present level. These two paragraphs set out the case for the miners. PRIME MINISTER’S OMISSIONS. The Prime Minister, in his statement, omits two important items from the causes that have led to the present unhealthy state of the mining industry : —(1) The enormous development in hydro-electric and oil power; (2) the Dawes plan in so far as it relates to coal deliveries in payment of reparations. The first may be covered by the contraction of markets, but its full purport will be realised by a study of the coal consumption (which is the best index of production) in 1924, as compared with 1913;—World consumption has decreased by nearly 4 per cent., European consumption has decreased by nearly 10 per cent, European consumption (excluding Great Britain) has decreased by nearly 15 per cent., German consumption has decreased by over 16 per cent. ; comparing all the coalfields previously included in Germany, the consumption has declined by nearly 15 per cent. EXPORT TRADE PROBLEM. The success of the British coal industry is largely dependent on the export trade, the decline in this trade is partially, but not entirely, due to under-consumption (particularly in Europe). Other factors are: —Reparation coal delivered to France, Italy, Belgium and Luxemburg, and the growth of newer coalfields in India, Africa, China and Japan. REPARATIONS COAL. During 1922-23-24 46,686,372 tons of coal were delivered to France, Italy, Belgium, and Luxemburg under the Dawes plan. The effect of these deliveries is shown by the fact that during 1923, when Germany refused to bend to tne demands of France, reparations coal deliveries declined from 18,047,679 to 7,872,160 tons, and British exports increased by 15,000,000 tons, and when the Dawes plan was completed and normal reparation deliveries were resumed the tonnage increased to 19,766,553, and Britain’s exports correspondingly declined. There is no possible hope o? Britain regaining the European coal export trade whilst the reparation system of coal delivery continues, and without reorganisation of the industry the situation automatically becomes worse as electrical power is developed. OIL AND ELECTRICITY. The main factor, however, behind the coal crisis is the development of new forms of power (oil and electricity). The application of coal to the generation of electricity instead of steam power means a considerable saving, which, again, leads to reduced coal consumption. Reference is made to the report of the Sankey Commission. The most significant paragraph of this Commission's report is ,\c. 9, which reads: “The present system of ownership and working in the coal industry stands condemned, and some other system must be substituted for it, either nationalisation or a method of unification by national purchase and/or by joint control.” A suggestion that the wage agreement in 1921 was hailed as a scientific application of profit-sharing by districts is not correct. The miners by majority refused the agreement, but they had been unemployed for three months, and the alternative to accepting the agreement was starvation. The Miners’ Federation accepted the 1921 agreement under duress.

THE STANDARD WAGE. The Prime Minister refers to percentage increases on the standard wage. The full meaning of this should be understood. The method of assessing wages is very complicated. There are liasic rates, which vary for all grades of workers in each of the districts. They vary, again, in that some districts work" on the 1914 basic rates, whilst otlieis have a basic rate for the present time. To these basic rates various percentages ate added to ascertain the standard wage. To this standard wages 20 per cent, was added until 1924, when the percentage was increased to 33 1-5 per cent., but even with the 33 1-3 per cent, added to standard wages the rates were still below the 1914 level. Comparing the figures for September, »1925, with those for July, 1914, the miners' wages are 11 per cent, below the 1914 level, and it was this standard that the coal owners attacked. EFFECT OF COAL OWNERS' PROPOSALS. The effect of the coal owners' proposals is illustrated by the following illuminating table published in the issued of the Manchester Guardian Weekly for April 9 last:

The Samuel Commission recommends the abandonment of the subsidy. If, then the subsidy is abandoned, and the coal owners are to be assured of their profits, it automatically means that the miners' wages will be further reduced by amounts varying from 9d to 4s 3d per shift, or from 4s to 23s 4d per week, in spite of the fact that thev are already below the 1914 level. THE LOWEST PAID WORKERS. The following table setting out the wages of the lowest paid class of adult labour in 1924, was submitted to the liuckmaster Commission:

Includes subsistences. The fact that these rates include subsistence allowances proves the hopelessness of the situation if the mine owners' proposals are adopted. The wages of the Brjstol miners run as low as 5s per shjft, or equivalent to 27s 6d for a week of five days and a-half. It cannot be too strongly emphasised that the minimum wage is not a living wage. The wages quoted above were slightly increased in the 1924 agreement, which the mine owners desire to abrogate, but that the present wages are below the cost of living basis is admitted by all investigators. ROYALTIES. With regard to State purchase of minerals (royalties, etc.), it cannot be too strongly emphasised that this dead charge on the life of the coal industry should have been wiped out long ago. This charge has always taken preference to both wages and profits. The total ranges from six to eight million pounds per annum, and equal 6d per ton on the whole output, which would be sufficient to increase the of every mine worker by 2s per week. Royalties as at present operating in Great Britain are an iniquitous tax levied on the whole community by a small body of men who give no service in return. THE SAMUEL REPORT. The Prime Minister in his statement says: ''The owners gave a general acceptance of the report." Nothing could be further from the truth. They turned down the proposal for compulsory profit-sharing and c-übstituted "discussion between owners and workmen of schemes suitable to the particular circumstances of individual undertaking." The Commission recommended the amalgamation of mines and in some cases compulsory transfers of interest under existing leases, etc. The coal owners' answer to thase proposals is that they agree "that any general measure ot compulsory amalgamation would be mischievous, and that the best- results are to be obtained where the initiative comes from the undertakings concerned, but with regard to compulsory amalgamation, which in the ultimate be the only solution, they said "It is a question for Parliament." The Commission recommended strongly against an increase of hours. The mine owners' answer was to post notices at the pit head offering wages below the cost of living level for a se\ en hours' day and a more attractive offer for eight hours. The miners had no option but to refuse to accept such conditions. Is there a man or woman in this Dominion who will openly assert that the men engaged in the most hazatdous employment m the industrial world should work for wages below a living basis 1 The Prime Minister stated that "the miners consistently refused to accept it (the report) as it recommended temporary reduction in wages." This conveys a totally wrong impression. The miners accepted the spirit of the report and agreed to co-operate to the fullest extent in carrying out its findings, provided that wages were not further reduced. THE OWNERS' FINAL OFFER. The owners' final offer set out in the Frime Minister's statement reveals the extent of the iniquity. The present wage rates are 33 1-3 per cent, on standard. The owners proposed a reduction to £0 per cent., or a decrease of 13 1-3 per cent., and in addition they proposed an increase of hours from seven to eight, or over 14 per cent. The actual facts with regard to the negotiations prior to the general strike will emerge later, but from the cabled information it appears that the determining factor was the interference with the publication of the Daily Mail No weaker excuse has ever been offered for plunging the Old Country into the present situation. The responsible leaders of the Labour movement were discussing ways and means of averting the trouble. In an adjoining room the members of the Cabinet were considering the situation. An interference with the publication of one of the most sensational journa'.s of England is reported to the Cabinet and without further negotiations the Cabinet sends a note into the next room and leaves the buildings without giving an opportunity for further discussion. The Archbishop of Canterbury and other Church leaders have suggested a way out which should be explored. If the Government can induce the mine owners to review the situation once more in the light of the well-being of the whole community much suffering, sorrow, and hardship may still be averted. THE MINERS' STATEMENT. The Miners' Federation of Great Britain has published an analysis of the present position, of which the following is a summary : "The coal mining industry in Great Britain, under its present ownership and management, is faced with a position of crisis. The facts leading up to this crisis have been assigned by various mine owners and independent economists to—(1) World shrinkage of coal supply ; (2) increased industrialisation in France, America, South Africa, India, and the (Far East; (3) propressive development of other kinds of

power as an alternative to black coal, particularly hydro-electric power and oil. ‘‘The coal owners' remedy for the situation is price. No matter what the degree of the underconsumption is, no matter how much the facilities for oil burning, etc., are developed, it is (the coal owners say) the present high price of British coal to the consumer, which is the root of the matter. Viewed simply from the standpoint of the coal trade, the problem, according to them, is one of cutting prices. To enable them to do this they advocate that miners’ wages shall be reduced, the working hours lengthened, or both, so that prices may reach the competitive level. “To this outlook the miners’ reply is threefold: First, that the crisis in the world's coal trade cannot be solved by merely lowering prices; second, that if, however, the owners pin their faith to a lowering of price, the miners are prepared to co-operate with them for the purpose of reorganising the industry in all fields—finance, production, and distribution ; third, that any solution, however, must ensure the payment of a living wage to the miner, and that his hours of work shall he such as to enable him to maintain his up to a good standard.*

Wages Portl' on Be ilancs actually home t >y i Iron 2 f ubpaid. indugti Tver ition. g. d. g. d. e. d. Scotland .. 10 i 7 7 2 9 Northumberland I .. 9 2 6 0 3 2 Durham .. 9 11 6 4 3 7 South Wales .. 10 S 7 S 3 3 Eastern Divtsi* an .. 10 10 10 1 0 9 I.anes. anil N. SI '.ana ■ .. 9 11 8 9 1 2 North Wales .. S 10 fi 8 2 5 S. Staffs, anil Sa lop . ..8 9 G 9 2 0 Forest of Dean .. 8 11 7 2 1 9 [vent .. 13 0 8 D 4 3 Cumberland .. 10 8 G 11 3 9

Present District. Wage. s. d. 'Scotland 7 0 "Northumberland 6 9i •Durham 6 8i •South Wales 6 8 Kastern Division— youth York ' ... 6 5i Notts 7 8 Derby 7 6i South Derby 6 4 Leicester 6 9 Cannock 6 4 Warwick 6 4 Pelsall 6 4 Lancashire— Lancashire 6 6 North Staffs 6 li North Wales 5 6 •South Staffs 5 6 •Shropshire 5 6 'Cumberland 6 7i "Uristol 5 0 rorest of Dean 5 3 Somerset 5 0 •Rent 6 3i