WELSH COAL STRIKE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 88, Issue 59, 10 March 1944, Page 5

WELSH COAL STRIKE

TROUBLE SPREADING EVERY MINE MAY CLOSE BY WEEK-END London, March 8. Britain’s spreading coal strike threatens to close every Welsh mine by the week-end and cost the nation about 500,000 tons of coal a week. Approximately 70,000 miners are now idle and i.-.o daily production loss is estimate l :; r;out 60,000 tons. Mr. Ar. i.-.r Horner, president of the South Wales Miners’ Federation, said: "The situation threatens to become catastrophic. Welsh miners have revolted in no uncertain fashion.” Practically the whole of Rhondda Valley has stopped production and most of the men from the important Tredegar colleries, Monmouthshire, have joined the strikers and the strike is spreading to west Wales. The chief cause of the strikers’ resentment is the Government's decision, that special allowances granted under the recent award for working in difficult places shall be included in the £5 a week minimum wage awarded by the Porter Tribunal. Feeling is running high. Among the strikers are men from the record-breaking Abergorki colliery, which has flown the Union Jack at its masthead for 40 consecutive weeks as a sign that it passed its target output. At meeting throughout the coalfields the strikers have been told that they will have no backing from their union. Miners’ lodges are holding meetings to consider a recommendation from the executive council that they should return tci, work pending a discussion with the Porter Tribunal and a negotiating committee, of owners and men over the question of anomalies. However, some lodges have already decidea to remain on strike until March 11, when a delegate conference will be convened, at which a report will be given of to-day’s talks in London with the Fuel Minister. 156 PITS AFFECTED.

Wales is now in the grip of the most calamitous miners’ strike since 1926. A coal owners’ spokesman put the number of affected pits at 156, employing 80,000 men of 100,000 engaged on this coalfield. These strikers have virtually 'brought to a standstill mines producing the world’s best steam coal, which is vitally needed not only for war factories, railways and home industries, but also ships’ bunkers and cargoes for special overseas needs.

Street scenes in the Rhondda Valley, one of the most famous coal producing centres, were reminiscent to-day oi the big unemployment days of the post-war industrial depression. Miners stood idly at street corners, vowing a determination to stick it out until their grievances are met. Pithead gear throughout he valley is' silent. No smoke is issuing from chimneys.

A coal hewer said: "I know people are saying we are letting down the soldiers, but we are fighting for improved conditions for them when they return.” The stoppage is already affecting industries, and coal for boilers and for producers ar-a exhausted at one electrically powered works in South Wales. The Fuel Minister, Major Lloyd George, is negotiating with a committee of miners and owners in London. The Minister undertook to consider other matters concerning allowances peculiar to South Wales when the men return to work.

The men’s representatives joined the Minister in urging the men to return to work. The meeting also considered an overhaul of the wage structure, which is very complicated. The Minister submitted proposals which both sides agreed to consider.