BRITISH MINERS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 20044, 6 September 1920, Page 4

BRITISH MINERS.

GOVERNMENT’S ATTITUDE. By Telegraph—Press Association-Copyright Australian and N.Z. Cable Association, c . LONDON, September 3. Sir R. S. Horne, Minister of Labour, states that ho desires to leave the door Open for any fresh proposals by tho miners, go far there has been no indication of proposals, and nothing would be gained by conferring with the miners leaders until they are. put forward. ,- I shall continue to hope that a strike will be averted,” he said. “No question of dignity will be allowed to stand in the way of beginning negotiations.” ; “ The newspapers publish the miners’ lengthy official statement of their case, declaring that the men are not claiming all they believe they are entitled to claim, but only a- minimum to enable them to meet the cost of living. They also -insist that the price' of domestic coal shall be reduced by Ms 2d per'ton, thereby benefitting each poor family about 90s yearly. . It Is stated that the Triple Alliance is waiting for tho Government to make the next mCve. The longer they wait the more critical things will become. LONDON, September 4. Probably the Miners’ federation will reply to Sir R. S. Horne's conciliatory statement, thereby paving the way for negotiations. It is believed that if the federation abandoned tlto demand to reduce the price of domestic coal little difficulty would bo experienced in arriving at a satisfactory compromise on toe wages claim. It, is reported that the federation is ready to consider any reasonable offer from the Government and submit it to a ballot of miners. Preliminary steps are already bein'" taken tor another ballot. BANKS REFUSE LOAN TO MINERS. - t . LONDON, September 4, The /'Daily Chronicle” states tnat the Miners’ Union yesterday sought a loan against gild-edged securities, but the banks refused to provide the sinews ol war. The miners are not desirous of selling stocks, _ owing to depreciation, lieucfe they desire a loan. EFFORTS TO AVERT STRIKE. LONDON, September 3. A .-uggestion that the Government and miners should agree to a, public inquiry concerning increased output, and the relation of wages thereto is gaming adherents among the Labour loaders. The Portsmouth Women’s National Political League is strenuously striving to avert a strike, and is organising a conference of miners’ and transporters’ wives in London with a view to proposing that wives, equally with Inis-, hands, should participate m strike balots. .Many similar conferences are being arranged in the. provinces. Tbo “ Übscn-cr ” emphasises the widespread, growing conviction that if hir H. s. Horne and Mr Sniillie met a way out of the impasse could he lound. The '‘Sunday Times'’ savs that Mr Smillie and Sir R. S. Horne agree to tho principle of mediation, they differ only on matters of detail and machinery.