THE COAL STRIKE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19801, 28 May 1926, Page 9

THE COAL STRIKE

NEW GOVERNMENT, PROPOSALS EFFORT TO END DEADLOCK. INDIVIDUAL NEGOTIATIONS (Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright.) LONDON, May 26. The Daily Express features an announcement that tiTe Government is considering important new proposals to end the mining deadlock. The idea is that the Government may eliminate both the Miners’ Federation and the Mining Association from consideration, and go direct to the individual coal owner and miner with the proposals. The names of the new negotiators have been suggested. They would draw up a schedule of fair terms, which would be submitted to individual mine owners and workers. A ballot of the miners on the question ■would be taken secretly. The terms would be based on a seven and a-half hour ■working day, with a high minimum per-

eentage wage. The Government is reliably informed that the miners in most districts would welcome a ballot on the question of an extension of hours. The owners are most anxious not to allow the Government’s offer of £3,CCO,O(X) to be withdrawn at the end of the month. —A. and N.Z. Cable.

THE STRIKE CONDEMNED. SPEECH BY MR LLOYD GEORGE. SHORT-SIGHTED GOVERNMENT POLICY. LONDON, May 26. In a spech aet Llandudno Mr Llovd George blamed the Government for muddling and lack of thought, especially forethought, as regards the coal situation during the past 10 months; and also in connection with the restoration of the gold standard, by which the price of exported coal had been reduced. He unreservedly condemned the strike, and supported the Government’s measures to preserve order and carry on the national services. "At the same time,” he added, “I am unable to work myself up to a pitch of righteous anger against the men who, however mistakenly or wrongly, risked their livelihood to help their comrades in their desperate plight.” Mr Lloyd George said he favoured getting back to the status quo, and strongly endorsed the statesmanlike proposal contained in the Archbishop of Canterbury’s appeal. He therefore advocated conciliation and supported Sir Herbert Samuel’s report. He urged the Government to legislate over the heads of the miners and the mine owners and thus shorten the conflict. —Reuter. (Received May 27, at 9 p.m.) Mr Lloyd George's characteristic flashes included a description of the British Gazette as ‘‘a first-class indiscretion clothed in the laundry garb of third-rate journalism.” He expressed the opinion that the strike ought to cure the workers of any lingering taste for the experiment of State Socialism. Mr Lloyd George also disparaged Socialistic broadcasting “‘when the very currents of the air were nationalised by the Government.” He accused the Government of breaking off negotiations purely because there had been one of the weekly troubles with the printers in a London newspaper office. —A. and N.Z Cable.

VICTORY FOR LAW AND ORDER. BiR ESME HOWARD'S VIEW. NEW YORK, May 26. (Received May 27, at 8 p.m.) Addressing the National Association of Credit Men, the British Ambassador, Sir Esme Howard, declared that the general strike in England had served to establish “once again and for all generations the belief and faith in the principles of free constitutional parliamentary government.” —Reuter. RELIEF FOR DEPENDENTS. MONEY CABLED FROM NEW ZEALAND. (Peb Ukited Press Associat ~n.) WANGANUI, May 27. The East Town branch of the A.S.R.S. «t a meeting this afternoon requested its executive to cable a substantial sum to alleviate distress among the pendents of British miners, considering tuat it was its bounden duty to do so.