THE MINERS’ STRIKE.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXVI, Issue 18163, 27 April 1921, Page 9

THE MINERS’ STRIKE.

ANOTHER CONFERENCE. LONDON, April 25. Owners, miners and the Government have again conferred, Sir Robert Horne presiding in Mr Lloyd George’s absence. An adjournment was made till to-morrow, when Mr Lloyd George presides. RAILWAYMEN’S ATTITUDE. LONDON, April 25. Addressing a meeting of miners at Sydney, Mr Cramp declared that the railwaymen intended to refuse to handle coal lying at the colliery sidings. A DISASTROUS FIRE. LONDON, April 25. A fire at the pit head in the North Rigg Colliery, Linlithgowshire, cause unknown, resulted in damage to the extent of £30,000. The Edinburgh Brigade, assisted by naval ratings, were only able to save the engine house of the power station. The pit will not be able to resume for a year. OWNERS’ PROPOSALS. LONDON, April 25. The coal conference considered the owners’ statement, in which proposals for a durable scheme stipulated that wages should depend on the “industry's ability to pay, and that coalfields be divided ■ into agreed areas. Standard wages and standard profits should be the first charge on the industry, and after that any surplus should be divided between the owners and men. Proposals for a temporary arrangement during the transition period suggest wages reductions for three months, which should be uniform in each area, the owne.rs taking no profits if they result’in a reduction of wages below the minimum fixed monthly. The statement suggests that the Government should fix the maximum in consultation with both parties, the Government, where necessary, to make contribution in any area to prevent a reduction when the profits are absorbed for that purpose. After 31st July the wages paid should depend solely upon ability to pay wages in August, which would be calculated on the basis of the June result.