BRITISH COAL CRISIS.

Waikato Times, Volume 100, Issue 16816, 7 June 1926, Page 5

BRITISH COAL CRISIS.

OWNERS’ PROPOSALS,

AN EIGHT-HOUR DAY

AT PRESENT RATE OF WAGES.

(Australian and N.Z. Press Assn.) LONDON, .Tune 6.

A message from Brussels slates that. Mr A. J. Cook, general secretary of the British Miners’ Federation, arrived fHere yesterday by aeroplane, from London lo allend a meeting of the executive of the International Miners’ Federation.

lie carried a letter from Mr Evan "Williams, president of the Mining Association, io Mr Herbert Smith, president of Ihe M|ners’ Federation. Tho latter was present at the Brussels meeting. In his letter Mr Williams suggested that four or five of ttie miners’ leaders should meet, an equal number of representatives of Uic British mineowners to seek a basis for an agreement,. The letter was submitted to the meeling, at the close of which a fresh communication was received from the Mining Association. This proposed a resumption of negotiations on a basis of the maintenance of the present ratc-s of wages and the establishment of an eight-hours day.

The meeting decided to take measures to minimise the export of coal to Britain.

On his return from Brussels to-day Mr Cook said he intended to call a meeting of the executive of tiie Miners’ Federation for Tuesday, instead of Wednesday, to consider the owners’ letter suggesting fresh conversations. LATER. NO COAL FROM GERMANY. ORDERS REFUSED. (Australian and N.Z. Press Assn.) (Received June 7, 11.30 a.m.) LONDON, June 6. Tiie Daily Herald says that German firms decline to sell coal to Britain, possibly because they are afraid of having trouble with their own miners, or prefer to sell in markets usually held by Britain.