BRITISH MINERS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 20055, 18 September 1920, Page 8

BRITISH MINERS.

PROCEEDINGS AT CON. FERENCE. CONCILIATORY ATMOSPHERE. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. Reuter's Telegrams. LONDON, September 17. ihe conference between Sir R. S Horne and tho Miners' Federation executive was the most'conciliatory on both sides that lias occurred during the present crisis. After meeting in the morning, it adjourned at midday for two hours, during which period Sir R. •mi om % s ?Y Mr L] °y& George, . Hie official account of the proceedings shows that tho men submitted proposals—(l) For immediate concession, of the wages demand. . (2) That there should be no increase in tho price of homo-oonsumed coal owin 2 fi to tho foregoing. (3) Ihe appointment of a representative tribunal to inquire into the question of reducing the pric© of domestic- coal, with an undertaking by the Government to accept its report. W Ari inquiry into tho causes of tho declining output. .The executive also expressed a desire to accept the Government's proposal for- an inquiry with a view to revision of the present complicated system of calculating wages. Mr Smilfie, in this connection, admitted that the substitution of fixed rates for piece rates was one of the causes of the declining output, but if pi ec e rates were adopted the men wanted security against reduction of those rates as the c.-utputr increased. „„ Sir i ßi & £ or . ne ' .reply"*, cordially agreed with the justice of the last demand, and said that the other proposals wore a great advance- towards a peaceful settlement, especially the way the men -had coupled tho question or increase of wages with suggestions ns regards increased output, but there was no .possibility of accepting the third proposal .Further discussion revealed a sharp jiiftcrence of opinion on the subject of the demand for an immediate increase of wages Sir R S. Horne refused to 'igree to this without a prior investirration by an impartial tribunal. Mr Smillie declared that this must bo settled before the other demands were considered Tt was useless to try to get the Miners' Conference to postpone the strike unless he could toll it that tho wages demand had been granted. Sir R S. Horn© agreed that if increase of output were assured a,n advance of wages could doubtless lie liven. The conference adjourned till tomorrow.