BRITISH COAL MINERS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 20057, 21 September 1920, Page 7

BRITISH COAL MINERS.

IN NOT ANXIOUS TO STRIKE. OTHER WORKERS INVOLVED. EARLY DEFINITE ACTION EXPECTED. By Telegraph—Prsa« A«eoci»tion—Copyright Hunter's Telegrams. (Received September 21, 8.40 a.m.) LONDON, September 20. lire coal situation was unchanged at the week-end, but the next few days will bo charged with most fateful consequences for the country, the economic life of which is threatened by a shattering blow involving inevitable destitution and misery for millions. In some quarters hopefulness is expressed, based on the reported readiness qf the Government to provide a rush Court of Inquiry to investigate and report upon the wage advance in a lew days. Those quarters declare that meetings in the mining districts indicated that the men are not anxious to strike, and it is admitted that the public generally is against the miners. On the other liana the meetings showed that the men will support the leaders. To-day’s resumed conference between Sir Robert Horne and the miners’ leaders is regarded as most critical, and as-the key to the situation. To-morrow there will moot in London tlic leaders of the National Conference of Miners to decide the question »of a strikc_ at tho end of the week,’ while on 'Wednesday the railwayman and transport workers will meet to determine their attitude in the event of a strike. A dangerous factor as regards the railwayman is the widespread belief that their union funds will bo as hard hit by a miners’ strike, owing to unemployment doles, as if tho rnilwaymen struck themselves, and. the fund carried strike pay. Consequently tins is encouraging the leaders to say: “Let’s strike to get it over quickly and win.’’ Meanwhile it_ is authoritatively declared that tho’ Government will not depart from its present policy, namely, that arbitration and inquiry "must precede any grant of increased wages, although slight modifications-in detail are possible.