GOAL MINERS’ STRIKE.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XX, Issue 5190, 19 July 1915, Page 5

GOAL MINERS’ STRIKE.

MEN HOLD OUT FOR TERMS. INCENSED BY PROCLAMATION

Electric Telegraph—Press Association. ' Copyright

London, Last Night. Mr Runoiman had half an hour’s conference with the colliery proprietors, and later had a , conference with the South Wiliest Federation executive. Nineteen of the executive now favour a return to work, but four oppose it. About 200,000 are idle, including the surface workers. There is disappointment at Cardiff at the result of the card vote, which was 47,450 in favour of resumptiofe, and 89,850 in favour of a strike. Many of the delegates are mere youths, chosen owing to their volent syndicalist opinions, who- say openly that they care nothing for the effects of the strike on the army or navy. One delegate states: “If we keep the collieries idle we will get our terms in less than a week.” Many non-official miners think the Government was over hasty in proclaiming the district, and say that if Mr Lloyd George had acted as mediator there would have been no cessation of work. The men say: “It is no use for Mr Lloyd George to meqt the leaders. Let him come and talk to us straight.” The proclamation has been posted in the colliery towns, but its readers are indifferent. Its archaic phrases are meaningless to men used to colloquial language. The exextremists are convinced that if coal is held up the employers’ Government must yield. No one doubts that a ballot of miners would show an overwhelming majority in favour of resuming work on day to day contracts until the dispute has been settled, but a ballot will not suit the extremists, who are seeking to force Government to nationalise the mines. The South Wales miners’ executive discussed yesterday’s interview with Mr Runciman, but found it impossible to reach a decision productive of settlement, and adjourned till Monday. The coalminers gave reasons for maintaining their standpoint, but finallv placed themselves in Mr Runeiman’s hands. The South Wales miners demand concession of the whole programme of the draft agreement originally submitted to the coal owners. and the withdrawal of the application of the Munitions Act to the coalfield, which has caused ten thousand times more feeling than anything else. They say they are as much entitled to a wage agreement as ihe English, also that most of the delegates at Cardiff have sons and brothers at the front, and are as intensely patriotic as anybody in the Kingdom. The miners at Pontypridd declare that the men feel that if the question of a new agreement is postponed until the end of the war they will be done. Mr J. Edwards, M.P.. appeals to Mr Asquith personally to intervene. The delegates informed Mr Rnnei*nan that the proclamation was a blunder. considerably increasing the difficulties of settlement, and the Government are entirely responsible for the situation. Air Runciman made various proposals, but the delegates after discussion of them insisted on the immediate necessity of a new minimum equivalent to. the selling price as a definite basts for any future advances by an independent chairman of the conciliation board. Their demand, after some discussion in private. tor concession ot the original proposals qnd withdrawal of the proclamation is not meeting with a favourable response from Mr Runciman, but the suggestion is that- the men l>e allowed to resume conditionally if the original terms are granted meantime and the executive discuss their incorporation in a new agreement, not necessarily to include the whole of the original proposals. Air Runciman de- | dined, and he emphasised Cabinet s extremely unsatisfactory position if its attitude changed to such an extent. He had already offered the best terms the Government could concede. It was impossible to go further, and if the miners persisted a very serious position will arise. The Munitions Act is already enforced and he was at piesent unable' to find a way out of the difficulty. The miners replied that the proclamation made the situation worse, and solutions possible a week ago are now unthinkable.

The executive decided to adjourn and discuss this morning the possibilities of formulating proposals with a view to securing the assent of the wlrfde executive committee.

Air Hartshorn, interviewed, expressed the opinion that there was widespread criticism, against the masters among the men, remarking; “What course had we open. Only that of stopping work. They thought we would never do this, , J? meant our overcoming otir own patriotism ami facing the scorn, derision, and taunts of the whole country, besides facing the- Government penalties. They tried to exploit our patriotism.” Ho had endeavoured notwithstanding to get decisions in favour of the men but one could understand the feelings of men who objected to being defeated by subtlety. Air Mahon strongly urges the South Wales miners to follow their leaders’ advice and not forget the cry “Your country «neod« you,” which applies to colliers as much as to soldiers and sadors.

The Evening News suggests that German influences have been at work in South Wales for a. long time. Some agitators are suspected of German origin. There are more agitators int Do. rank and file on the Welsh coalfields than in any other British field, and many are not of British nationality. Tins feature is noteworthy, as Wales is tin’ main source of the navy’s coal.