THE COAL STRIKE.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XXVI, Issue 2790, 30 May 1921, Page 5

THE COAL STRIKE.

CONCILIATION COMMENCES.

LEGISLATION MAY BK NECESSARY.

Elect***. Telegraph—Press Association Copyright.

(Australian-N.Z. Cable Association.) London, Alay 2S.

It. is officially stated that the Government proposals for a settlement, which have been submitted to the coal-miners anti owners provide for the temporary arrangements cabled yesterday, the duration to-*be dependent on tlie extent by which the Government’s £10,000,000 and the owners’ sacrifice of standard profits for thro© months, will make up the difference between the economic wages the miners eire able to i>ay. and the actual wages paid. As the miners and owners are unable- to agree to terms for a permanent settlement, the dispute must be decided by qpp of tlie Wages Board, to be/ composed

equal representatives of the owners and miners, with a neutral chairman with a casting vote. (2) A tribunal of three persons. (3) Single arbitration* The matters to be submitted to the determining body selected, which must report within two .months, include: (1) The rates of wages at the end of the temporary period, based on the industry’s capacity in each district, and the subsistence to the lowest J>aid workers; also the possibilities of increasing the output. (2) The minimum standard wage in each district. (3) Tlie proportional profits to wages, in tlie distribution of the i>rocecds of the industry. Tho determining body’s decision is to to binding for twelve .months on both parties hereafter, but- subject m three months’ notice on either side.

It is officially reported that Mr? Lloyd George has informed the* miners that the question of a national pool of Wages and profits, also any! scheme for the amalgamation of colleries, has been ruled out for present or future consideration. Ho added emphatically that if the miners anil owners failed to reach an agreement, Parliament would bo immediately asked to legislate- to compel both parties to- arbitrate, as the dispute could not be -permitted tc continue. The miners officially announce that the proposals will be referred, to- the Di s trict A s soci at io n s*. London, May 28. The miners y leaders when interviewed expressed keen disappointment at to-day’s discussion. The Government’s scheme seemed prim any designed to get the men back to work first, and discuss details afterwards. “We will have none of this. Something more tangible must be produced if peace is to result.” Tlie Government estimate that if the miners return to work forthwith, they will lose 2s 6d per shift in June, 3s in July, 3s fid in August, and 4s in September, but tho increased production may render their wages nearly normal.

The coal-owners have decided to refer Mr Lloyd George’s proposals to tho district associations. A confer-

ence of locomotive engineers has decided that in view of the Government’s assurance that foreign coal will bo used, only for essential services, that suspended members be instructed to resume duty immediately.