BRITISH MINERS

Southland Times, Issue 20834, 24 July 1929, Page 5

BRITISH MINERS

SERIOUS POSITION UNEMPLOYMENT FIGURES HIGHER NATIONALIZATION URGED (United Press Assn.—By Telegraph—Copyright.) London, July 22. There was a tense atmosphere at the miners' conference at Blackpool when Mr Herbert Smith, in his presidential address, stated that the federation was facing a serious position as unemployment had increased and the membership had declined. Charity had assisted in saving a whole section of the community from perishing from starvation. The mining population was entitled to look forward to something better than pauperization. Ro-organization and national co-operation were essential to the salvation of the industry, but he said a national scheme was only the preliminary canter towards national regulation. Only the nationalization of the mines and the mineral’s byproducts would ultimately save the industry from ruin. The federation, he declared, was confidently anticipating a reduction of hours during the present year. The conference would be given an opportunity, privately and frankly, to discuss Mr Macdonald’s reply to last week’s deputation which had waited upon him from the federation. —Australian Press Association. SEVEN-HOUR DAY INTENTIONS OF GOVERNMENT. (Rec. 7 p.m.) London, July 23. It is reported on good authority at Blackpool that the Government intends to revert to the seven-hour day in the mining industry by easy stages. It will introduce a 74 Hours Bill before the end of the year and when the Eight Hours Act expires in 1931 seven hours will be reached. Tills is expected to meet the demands of the Miners’ Federation. The owners, however, regard the position as critical, and a meeting has been convened to discuss the situation. —Australian Press Association —United Service.