GOVT. GESTURE SEEN IN MINES BILL FOR HOUSE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17880, 23 June 1926, Page 10

GOVT. GESTURE SEEN IN MINES BILL FOR HOUSE.

WAGE REDUCTION THOUGHT LIKELY. By Telegraph.—Press Assn. —Copyright. Aus. and N.Z. Cable Association. LONDON, June 22. The Government's decision to proceed with the Mines Reorganisation Bill before the Eight Hour Bill is regarded in some quarters as a gesture to the miners and others, indicating the possibility of negotiations on the basis of Mr Herbert Smith's week-end hint that a slight wage reduction is preferable to longer hours. Developments are being awaited. Mr Cook's latest is a challenge to Mr Baldwin to go to the country on the Eight Hour Bill. lie was sure he would find the public on the side of the miners. He said the Trade Union Congress could reorganise Labour to fight as never before. He told Labour members that they must be carried dead from the House of Commons before the miners were carried dead from the pits, as they would be if the Government proposals were accepted. In the House of Commons, Mr Baldwin declined to allow a free vote of the House on the question of the Russian money to aid the strike. He also stated that he had no reason to believe that compulsory arbitration would be found practicable in industrial disputes, though he was prepared to consider favourably, any proposal designed to avoid a stoppage of work.