THE MINERS THREAT.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume VII, Issue 2047, 6 September 1920, Page 7

THE MINERS THREAT.

AWAITING THE NEXT MOVE. BANKS REFUSE A LOAN. By G ible. — Press Association. — Copyright. (A. & N.Z.) LONDON, Sept. 4. The "Daily Chronicle" states that the Miners' Union yesterday sought a loan against gilt-edged securities, but the banks refused to provide the '. sinews of war. The miners are not] desirous of selling the stocks, owing to depreciation of value, hence they [ desire a loan. Sir R. S. Home states that he de-J sires to leave the door open for any fresh proposals by the miners. So far there has been no indication of proposals. Nothing can be gained by conferring with the miners' leaders until something is put forward. "I shall," he goes on to say, "continue to hope the strike will be averted. No question of dignity will be allowed to stand in the way of beginning negotiations." The newspapers publish the miners' lengthy oflicial statement of their case, declaring the miners are not claiming all they believe they are entitled to, but only the minimum, to enable them to meet the cost of living. They also insist that the price of domestic, coal shall be reduced by 14/2 per ton, -thereby benefiting each poor family by about 00/per year. It is stated that the Triple Alliance is wailing for the Government to make the next move. The longer they wait the more critical things will become. INQUIRY SUGGESTED. ANOTHER BALLOT POSSIBLE. (A. & N.Z.) LONDON, Sept. 5. A suggestion that the Government and the miners should agree to a public inquiry concerning an increased output and the relation of wages thereto is gaining adherents among Labour leaders. The Portsmouth Women's National and Political League is strenuously striving to avert a slrfße. It is organising a conference of miners' and transporters' wives in London, with a view to proposing that wives, equally with husbands, should participate in the strike ballots. Many similar conferences are being arranged in the provinces. The "Observer" emphasises that there is a widespread and growing conviction that if Sir R. S. Home and Mr Smillie met, a way out of the impasse could be found. The "Sunday Times" says Mr Smillie and Sir R. S. Home agree as to the principle of mediation. They differ only on matters of detail and machinery. Probably the Miners' Federation will reply to Sir R. S. Home's conciliatory statement, thereby paving the way for negotiations. It is believed if the Federation abandoned its demand to reduce the price of domestic coal, little difficulty would be experienced in arriving at a satisfactory compromise on the wages claim. It is reported that the Federation is ready to consider any reasonable offer from the Government and submit it to the miners' ballot. The preliminary steps are already being taken for another ballot.