WELSH COAL CRISIS.

Wanganui Herald, Volume L, Issue 14698, 1 September 1915, Page 6

WELSH COAL CRISIS.

. i SETTLEMENT ARRIVED ATPress Association.—Telegraph—Copyright Received September 1, 9.30 a.in. LONDON, August 31. The Press Bureau announces that the coal conference lias arrived at a settle-' meat. The coal-owners, desiring to meet tlie difficulties of the situation as explained by Ministers, and with a view to a final settlement, expressed their willingness to agree to the following •settlement;'—-The mineral agreement already concluded at Cardiff to he signed forthwith. After this is done the owners will conclude a supplemental agreement, paying a'bonus in turn to the en-gine-men and others not included in the general agreement. The miners’ delegates unanimously undertake to recommend the workmen to accept the propositi. The men’s representatives asked that the new wages should operate from' the 22nd July, and the coal-owners suggested the Ist September. Eventually both agreed to the 21st August. COMPLETE VICTORY FOR MEN. SOME TENSE MOMENTS. Received September 1, 11.25 a.m. LONDON, August 31. The Welsh coal settlement is regarded as a complete victory for the men. Representatives of the miners and coal-owners met, the Board of Trade at

10 o’clock. At noon, the coal-owners left, leaving Mr Ruiiciman and the miners’ deputation to negotiate their differ- 1 ences, the owners announcing that they ' were ready to accept the Government’s ] decision. 1 ■ Interviewed during the lunch interval, the miners’ leaders threatened a national stoppage unless a settlement ■ were reached forthwith. It was evident, that: angry feeling had boon growing during the negotiations. •‘.The situation at this moment was! more critical, owing to a conference, representing 11,850 miners, meeting at Car-' qiff. A largo section ’favoured the men downing tools without awaiting th'-i Lo„ndon deputation’s report. The conference finally passed a resolution in faroiir of awaiting the recommendation of the London deputation, by 1244 votes Against 1128 in favour of immediately downing tools. Later in the afternoon. Mr Runciman • dramatically recalled the owners, who | \iere returning to South Wales, and a a 1 agreement was reached at 4.30 o’clock, 4ft«r Messrs Lloyd George, Runciman. and Henderson had finally interviewed the miners.