BRITAIN’S COAL STRIKE.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXIII, 24 June 1926, Page 7

BRITAIN’S COAL STRIKE.

Two Notable Pronouncements. POINTING THE WAY TO SETTLEMENT. By Cable —Frees Association —Copyright. Australian au<l N.Z. Cable Association. (Received June 23, 7.15 P- m -) LONDON, Juno 23. Two speeches, likely to be landmarks in the coal dispute, wore delivered yesterday. Changed Attitude Needed. Mr Philip Snowden (formerly Chancellor of the Exchequer) said the Trade Onion idea had been one or antagonism to the employers. y 0 have got to change that, lie said, “and get the workmen to realise that they are partners in the industiy. > would like to see the policy changed so that the unions would not be concerned merely in getting the highest wages they can screw out ot the industiy, hut rather in helping to niako the industry efficient, so that the money will bo there from "'lnch the highest wages can be paid. The attitude of the employers, that the workmen are paid to work and not to think, must also be altered. Employers must cease discouraging a higher output by not sharing the profits from such.” He appealed to employers and workers to get together, and create a new era of prosperity.

Resisting the Stranglehold. Lord Birkenhead said the Government had not been anxious to take sides. He held that the language throughout the negotiations had been as harsh to owners as to men.” But as far as my experience goes, the, fault has been entirely with those who will not consider the least concession. Neither the Prime Minister nor the Angel Gabriel would bo able to reach a settlement so long as they have to deal with such a man a,s Mr Cook. I and my colleagues are determined, if driven to the necessity by this attempt at blackmail by the men who declare they have the stranglehold on the vital chords of industry, that we shall again sorrowfully, but resolutely gird ourselves for a great struggle. We shall not permit the nation to be destroyed.”

RESPONSIBILITIES OF UNIONS. LORD BIRKENHEAD’S ATTACK. By Cable—Press Association —Copyright. Sydney “Sun” Service. (Received June 23, 11.15 p.m.) LONDON, June 23. Lord Birkenhead, who is a member of the Cabinet Committee examining the Trade Union law, addressing 1500 Conservative Association delegates, declared that the primary necessity Was that the controllers of Trade Union funds, should bo answerable for wrongful acts, for which they were responsible. He favoured secret ballots and believed the difficulty of adequately arranging the “ballots could bo surmounted. The secret ballot would he useless if the examination of the voters were left entirely in the hands of representatives of the Trade Unions. The Cabinet Committee had overwhelming evidence of fraudulent votes and bogus returns.

GOVERNMENT’S LEGISLATIVE PROPOSALS.

TEXT OF COAL BILLS. By Cable—Press Associntion—Copyright. Australian and N.Z. Cnblo Association LONDON, June 22. The text of the Coal Bills lias been published. The Hours Bill consists of only two clauses, and when enacted will continue in force for five years. 'Hie Mining Industry Bill is a- moro elaborate measure of 17 clauses. It empowers the 'amalgamation of mineral undertakings, but confirmation of any scheme where a section of owners is unwilling to amalgamate, rests with the Board of Trade The Bill empowers the Railway and Canal Commission to remove restrictions on working or searching for minerals, where satisfied it is in tile national interest, and provides fer a levy of Is per annum for every 20s rental value, payable by every person liable to pay the mineral rights on the rental value of rights to work coal. The levy will be used for the miners’ welfare, particularly for the provision of baths at the coal mines. Finally the Bill provides that in recruiting perrons over eighteen years of ago for employment in coal mines, preference shall bo given to ex-miners. ft also empowers the coal mining companies to establish profit sharing schemes. Mr G. R. Lane-Fox (fTnder-Seerc-tarv of State for Mines) said the Committee. created by his predecessor was considering the State acquisition of mineral rights, hut it was more concerned with details than policy. Mr Baldwin said the Boval Commission's recommendation regarding mineral royalties would react on the finances. The present losses coupled with file conversion of the public debt was contemplated in the near future, and this created a situation which required careful examination before committing Die country to a financial transaction dT the magnitude involved in the recommendations.