THE GOAL STRIKE

Otago Witness, Issue 3513, 12 July 1921, Page 14

THE GOAL STRIKE

A GLOOMY PICTURE. LONDON, July 5. A disconcerting aftermath of the coal strike is rapidly developing. When the industry was under control all the collieries were overstaffed to the extent of 110,000 men. It is now estimated that between 100,000 and 150,000 of these will be without employment: Probably 60 per cent, of the normal workers will be absorbed at the end of July, but three months will elapse before all the workable mines will be in proper order. Some pits must be abandoned, and others will have to be reshafted. In many cases the electrical pumping systems are ruined, for which large new capital subscriptions will be imperative. The general outlook is unhappy for employer and emploved alike. LONDON, July 5. The military and naval measures in connection with the coal strike cost £8,855,C00, while 70,000,000 working days were lost through the strike. STATELY PITS IDLE. LONDON, July 5. The Government has apparently not yet finished with the disputes in the coalfields. Ten thousand miners at the Stavely Company’s pits in Derbyshire refused to comply with the owners’ orders that they must use the old-time forks instead of shovels in filling the tubs. When the chairman (Air Markham) was told that he was contravening the London agreement he replied to the deputation that Tie pits would not be reopened unless the forks were used. He said that he had given notice of withdrawal from the Coaioivners’ Association, and the company in future would stand on its own legs, and would defy the Government or anybody else. The Derbyshire Miners’ Association is referring the matter to the Government. Meanwhile the Stavely pits are idle. DEBATE IN COMMONS. LONDON, Tuly 8. The House of Commons debated the coal strike Air J. C. Gould (Cardiff), a shipowner, in. a striking speech expressed doubt whether the settlement would guarantee an increased output. He declared that 150,000 miners would he displaced m the industry. Lord Robert Cecil blamed the Government's handling of the struggle, particularly Air Lloyd George’s attack on Labour in ills speech on Alarch 23. Mr Lloyd George hotly protested against this misrepresentation. When Lord Robert Cecil sat down, lie described his speech as an unfair travesty. What he (Air Lloyd George) said was that m labour disputes the trouble was not with tho responsible leaders, but with corporations, whom they never saw, but who lad real power and no responsibilitv. Mr W. Adamson (Leader of the Parliamentary Labour Party) said the miners had returned to work in anything but- an amiable form of mind. The question whether the miners were to ptill the chestnuts out of the fire for British industry or not was one which would find a readv response in their minds at the present time. He urged an amnesty to the men who had been imprisoned for offences committed during the strike, even if the offenders were Communists.