SUBSIDY CEASES TO-MORROW.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXIII, 29 April 1926, Page 7

SUBSIDY CEASES TO-MORROW.

Britain’s Coal Crisis. EFFORTS TO PROMOTE SETTLEMENT. By Cable—Press Association —Copyright. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received April 28, 7.5 p.m.) LONDON, April 28. Witli the Government’s coal subsidy ending on Friday, and notices posted in the collieries throughout tho country, that tlie men will be employed thereafter only on the owners'" new terms, which tho men absolutely refuse to accept, there was the greatest relief last night at the news that Mr Baldwin at last had brought the parties together. The “Daily Express” says that all the Premier’s efforts are being directed towards persuading the owners to concede a national agreement with a national instead cf district minimum wage, conditional c-n the miners’ willingness to discuss reduced wages or longer bom's. Finally the owners agreed to an “open conference.” The “Express,” the “Daily Herald” and others believe the notices due to expire on Friday night, will bo suspended in order that conversations may continue. The “Herald” says a start has already been made at estimating the financial benefits likely to accrue from tho reconstruction proposals of the Coal Commission, with a view to deciding the nature of the problem to ho faced until those benefits are felt. Jt would be possible with such estimates to assess the wage-yielding capacity of the industry, as the proposals developed. It is stated elsewhere that the minens asked Mr Baldwin to indicate bow much temporary assistance would tho Government contribute to the easement, of wage reductions. The Prime Minister declined to say until there are signs of a fair chance of settlement. All parties expect that to-day’s conferences will indicate whether the imminent crisis is avertable or otherwise. ACCEPTED CONFERENCE INVITATION. OWNERS MEET PRIME MINISTER 8v Cable—Press Association—Copyright. Heater’s Telegrams. (Received April 28. 8.60 p.;-i.) LONDON, April 23. After several days’ intensive conferences, in which the Prime Minister was most active, the mine owners intimated their willingness to participate in a tripartite meeting at which they would not impose any limitation regarding the scope of the discussion. Thereafter a meeting of these parties was held in the House of Commons, and adjourned until tomorrow.