BRITISH MINERS' DEMANDS.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 15320, 16 September 1920, Page 5

BRITISH MINERS' DEMANDS.

\ - TRADE UNION CIRCLES J PERTURBEIJ.

(Elec. Tel. Copyright— United Press Asstf.7 LONDON, Sept. 15. .The" official figures for the quarter's mJti% pYofits have perturbed trade union circles apd destroyed the miners' contention that thtt'e is a disposable surplus of £66,000,000, ari<_ 'alteration of the miners' d&Sarfed- may result. Th© main reasons for hop_ are the absence tff enthusiasm 1 ariiphg coal consumers for the miners' Kelp' in decreasing prices by a. strike arf_ the lack of desire for a strike among YorfehJre and Midland miners. A number of tiildf npidn leaders are substituting for" their 6*i&~~) inal demands the suggestion; ihsit.' t\W\ •Government should pledge itself not to j decontrol ooal for at least tyro years, but j it Is doubtful whether this' means the; reimpbsitiori ot machinery, operating during the War' or oflfy the, continuance of the prSsent executive control .ova* the maximum prices for hoT&ehoftl coal. . y Mr Smillie, m a letter to the news-j paper's, in 'a chastened toAe, -asserts^ that; the object ol the threatened strike is not | -the natidhalisatiafl of mines,.. butVi^; the i outcome of the miners' desir& to obtain | •a. wage to' enable them to liv«_;decently. ■ Tlie talk of individuals getting— high ] wages is beside the mark. The average pay of the coal getters is 21s 9d daily.— A. and N.Z.C.A. ' ' ;