BRITISH COAL STRIKE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19845, 19 July 1926, Page 7

BRITISH COAL STRIKE

IMPORTANT DEVELOPMENT. OFFER BY MINERS’ LEADER. WILLING TO DISCUSS LOWER WAGES. (Pree» i-MooJatloD—By . Telegraph—Copyright) LONDON, July 17. (Received July 18, at 5.5 p.m.) An important development of the coal strike, which has lasted for 11 weeks, occurred to-night. It takes the form of the following statement to the Daily Express by Mr Cook : “We are unwilling to consider longer hours, but if the Coal Commissioners would interpret their own words on reorganisation and if we could have an assurance those terms would be put into force we would be willing to discuss such a lowering of wages as might prove necessary. »v e should require to return on the pre-strike terms while the negotiations are proceeding.” The Daily Express adds that there u a possibility of a new appeal to the nation by the Archbishop of Canterbury. The Morning Post says that, notwithstanding appearances, things are moving towards a settlement.—A. and N.Z. Cable. FORMULA BY BISHOPS. PROPOSAL FOR SETTLEMENT. CONTINUATION OF SUBSIDY PROPOSED. LONDON, July 16. It appeal* that at the meeting of the Miners’ Executive and the bishops and Free Church leaders, the bishops submitted a formula that work should be resumed on a basis of the status quo for four months, the Government to make up the difference between the old rates and the economic wages. Meanwhile negotiations are to take place with a view to a settlement of wages and hours. If the disagreement persists at the end of four months, the points in dispute are to be referred to an arbitrator. The bishops also interviewed the Government. A member of the Miners’ Executive said the executive had accepted the bishops’ proposals, *whicb might provide a peace avenue. It is believed that there will be negotiations on this basis next week. The Trades Union Council has been told bluntly that the miners will not permit it to “butt in” in the negotiations, though the Trades Union Council has promised the miners the utmost financial assistance. The annual report of the Transport and General Workers’ Union shows that the assets and funds at the end of 1925 wore £500,000. All this was spent in the miners’ struggle.—Reuter. EXTENSION OF SUBSIDY. MR BALDWIN DEFINITELY REFUSES. LONDON, July 17. (Received July 18, at 6.5 p.m.) A definite refusal to consider an extension of the subsidy was made by Mr Baldwin in replying to the bishops’ propos'd. Ho offered to receive a deputation from the Christian Churches but stated that the terms on which work could be resumed were not within the power of the Government to determine. They could only be settled by an agreement between the owners and the miners.—Reuter. MINERS AND LABOUR LEADERS. MASTERS OP THEIR OWN FATE. MIGRANTS FOR NEW ZEALAND. LONDON, July 17. (Received July 18, at 5.5 p.m.) Several of the miners’ leaders, before re. turning to their own districts, expressed a strong belief that they would be called back in a few days to discuss a new formula for a settlement arising from a discussion by the Industrial Christian Fellowship though the miners are solidly opposed to the idea of arbitration in the event of a disagreement. In support of the report that yesterday’s conference with the Trades Union Congress was the bitterest the Miners’ Execu. tive has now informed the Trades Union Council that it will not allow the dispute to be taken out of its hands. Renewed efforts are bein" made to get an embargo imposed on the handling of foreign coal but the railwaymen’s refusal to consider this rendered the Trades Union Council unable to act. An international appeal will shortly be made on behalf of the miners. Smith and Mr Cook were both reelected to the Miners’ Executive. Twenty-two miners with 23 children ( including eight in one family, migrated to New Zealand to-day.—A. and N.Z. Cable. LOAN FOR THE LNDUSTRY MR HENDERSON’S SUGGESTION. LONDON, July 18. (Received July 18, at 11.30 p.m.) Mr Arthur Henderson, at Wallsend, said that the Government should undertake to provide a loan for the coal industry on the easiest possible terms. —A. and N.Z. Cable.