BRITISH COAL STRIKE.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 12705, 7 March 1912, Page 5

BRITISH COAL STRIKE.

HOPES OF A SETTLEMENT.

MIDNIGHT GALLOP ON THE PONIES.

(Press Asan.— By Telegraph.— Copyright.) ■ - f -\ ■) LONDON, 'March 6.

The, coal owners will re-assemble tomorrow for a further conference with the Premier. The ' Miners' Federation has informed the transport workers that it ib unnecessary to declare a sympathetic strike.

Mr A. V. Dicey, the well-known lecturer, m a letter to the > Times, urges the repeal of the Trades . Dispute's Act, as neither the masters nor the men should possess the privilege of committing wrongs. He recommends adequate protection for the miners where the right to work is menaced.

Mr W. T. Stead, editor of the Review of Reviews, m a letter to the Times, suggests that the nation should guarantee the mine owners against any loss during three months' trial of the minimum wage, and thus obtain data to arrange a permanent settlement. Twenty steamers have been chartered to convey American coal to the Mediterranean and South American depots, heretofore supplied from Wales. The strike officials are caring for the Whitburn pit ponies. A crowd at Ryhope overpowered a watchman and looked the coal waggons. The Daily Chronicle predicts that the Government will to-morrow introduce a Bill establishing the principle of the minimum wage. The Telegraph says that as the result of inquiries amoni; the^ miners and their leaders, Cabinet anticipate^ a satisfactory settlement within a week; and also adds that the men are likely to slightly modify the "wage schedule, thus enabling the owners to reconsider the main points whereon their opposition is based. • (Received March 7, 9.50 a.m,) LONDON, March 6. Many Staffordshire and miners Attended the Uttoxeter: races.'-

Blackpool is full of visitors well supplied with money. Three hundred pit boys at Sunderland raided the paddocks, and- seized a pit pony .apiece, and executed a* 'wild midnight gallop throdgh the villages. ■ Many Yorkshire; miners aire following the hounds on foot.' ■- ■ •

The gramaphone shops ,m Wales are crowded and the picture * theatres at Pontypridd are open continuously. _ The -wholesale houses are refusing to supply tradesmen m mining communities, except for cash. Many shops are closing. . . (Received March '7, 11.35 a.m.) The Industrial Council is considering the miners' schedule with the masters figures. A more optimistic feeling prevails. The executive of the Miners' Federation lias agreed to meet the Industrial Council.

Replying to Mr Ramsay Mac Donald m the House of Commons, the ... Premier said that it was pure imagination to consider that the Government was going to introduce a bill laying down a minimum wage. The strike position was very delicate, and he hoped it would' not be discussed m the House of Commons at present.

The Government is meeting the men's representatives to-day.