THE BRITISH MINERS.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume VII, Issue 2051, 10 September 1920, Page 7

THE BRITISH MINERS.

NOT ANXIOUS TO STOP. A DESIRE FOR PEACE. By Cable.— Press Association. — Com/right. (Reutcr) LONDON, Sept. 9. At the Trade Union Congress the president, Mr J. H. Thomas, M.P., made a statement regarding the miners' trouble. He denied that the congress was afraid to raise the issue for fear of the miners' power. The Miners' Federation had raised no objection to the Parliamentary Committee bringing up the question at the congress for the benefit of the public. It was assumed in some quarters that the miners were specially anxious for a stoppage of work.

"My answer,*' said Mr Thomas, "is that a stoppage of the mines is the last thing we desire. No one realises the consequences of a stoppage more than the miners themselves." The Parliamentary Committee was composed of men who, in the conduct of trade disputes, were more concerned in adopting an attitude that might help towards peace, rather than embitter controversies by any statement they might make. Their action was abundantly justified by the invitation the Government had sent to the Miners' Executive.