THE BREAKDOWN.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LII, Issue 17056, 10 June 1926, Page 12

THE BREAKDOWN.

COAL MINING CONFERENCE. MR, COOK MAKES STATEMENT. PLACING BLAME OX OWNERS. (Renter's Telegram.) (Received June I(J,* 1 p.m.) LONDON, June 9. The Government takes a serious view of the Coal Conference breakdown". The Government's Coal Committee met and considered the position, and it is believed the plans discussed included a Government ballot among the miners. Mr. Cook, in a. statement, alleges the coal owners' account of yesterday's conference misrepresented the whole position. Mr. Cook declared the miners will not meet the owners again unless shorthand notes arc l taken of the proceedings. He says the owners laid down the terms of an eight-hour day; a reduction of wages to the level of the 1921 agreement, and lower in some districts. The owners have not changed one iota. They treated with contempt questions of the re-organisation of selling agencies, closing uneconomic pits, etc. The .Miners' Executive have now returned to their homes. They will continue the struggle. The men will not return to work except on a status quo ante basis. LORD BIRKENHEAD'S SPEECH. Lord Birkenhead, speaking at the luncheon of the British Imperial Council of Commerce, referred to the coal problem. He ridiculed the suggestion of the miners' leaders that the solution was to increase the price of coal with Home manufacturers already struggling to meet foreign competition. Referring to the money the Miners' federation was receiving from Russia, Lord Birkenhead said- whatever decision the Government reached herein, there must bo a real distinction between private contributions and contributions proceeding from a foreign government. Russian contributions were avowedly to foment revolution.