BRITISH COALMINERS

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XLV, Issue 12012, 15 March 1920, Page 5

BRITISH COALMINERS

United Press Association—By Elec trie Telegraph—Copyright, London, March 13 The coal miners’ official statement says : The committee recommends a demand for higher wages following upon Mr Lloyd George’s refusal of the miners’ proposal to reduce the price of industrial coal and reduce the amount exported. Newspapers interpret the demand as the miners’ reply to the Trade Union Congress vote against direct>ction, also’as an effort of the convince trade unionists generally that nationalisation is the only expedient to avert a national coal strike. The miners’ demands mean an addition of 65 millions to the nation’s coal bill, and involve an increased price in coal of 8s per ton. It is believed the miners have precipitated a grave situation, and that it is the beginning of a great fight. It is unlikely that the Government will grant the demand. Therefore there is danger of serious trouble arising on the coal fields.

A conference of the Miners’ Federation, by an overwhelming majority, decided to immediately demand an advance in wages of three shillings per shift tor workers over sixteen years and elghtpence for workers under sixteen as from March Ist. The executive is to take immediate steps to formulate the application and asks for an interview with Mr Lloyd George to disenss it prior to resumption of the conference on March 24th. There is difference of opinion in the Miners’ Federation, extremists complaining that the executive’s proposal played into the hands of the capitalists and are urging that the miners’ demands should not be based on what the industry is able to bear, but on what the workers ought to have. Finally the conference overwhelmingly accepted the executive’s recommendation. The conference then adjourned till the 24th, when it will receive the executive’s report upon the result of the application.