THE COAL STRIKE

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 17115, 9 April 1921, Page 9

THE COAL STRIKE

THREAT TO BRITAIN'S INDUSTRIAL EXISTENCE. PEIME MINISTER'S GRAVE WARNING. (Bv Cable—Press Association— CoprrigM-) (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) LONDON, April 6 (delayed). The "Daily Chronicle" says the Executive Committee of the Miners' Federation thinks that if it issued an order to man the pumps the order would not bo obeyed by the men. The Prime Minister, when he meets the miners' executive this morning, may bridge the difficulty. The coal-owners have prepared a new wages scheme in anticipation of the conference. They now offer better wages for adult day men. Later. The meeting between the Prime Minister and the miners' executive was abortive. The miners declined to order the pumpmen to resume, on the ground that if they did. they would surrender their only vital bargaining weapon. (Received Aoril Bth, 10.30 p.m.) LONDON, April 7. At the conference between the Government and the miners, the Premier strenuously aopealecl for a resumption of pumping."" The miners' representative (Mr Smith) declared that the owners cave every Avorkman notice, including the "safety men." There could only be a truce if every man went back on the old terms. He charged tho Government with tricking the men into an agreement lasi November, and backing up the employers on the present occasion.

Mr Lloyd George said that after this declaration it appeared to be of no use saying any more. The Government's main interest was the nation's. It was not true to say that the Government was forcing any scale of wages. The Premier emphasised that what was more serious than the flooding of the mines, was that the whole industrial existence of tho country was threatened. He wanted to emphasise that if "these repeated strikes continued, the industrial position of the country, would .be absolutely destroyed. Mr Smith retorted: ''lt is no use our bargaining about this. We have got to get a national wage, and then we can talk about the 'safety men'." Mr Lloyd George; "I understand th& threat to destroy tho mines is to be used to force the owners and the nation to capitulate. I think the decision of the Miners' Federation is one of the gravest mistakes in psychology ever made by tho leaders of a great organisation, and shows a complete failure to' understand the psychology of their own countrymen."

RAILWAYMEN'S DECISION. ■'SUPPORT FOB THE MINERS. (Received Auril Bth, 9.60 n.m.) LONDON, April 7. The National Union of Railwaymen unanimously support the miners, and have asked for an immediate consultation with the transport workers. (Received April Bth, £.35 p.m.) 'LONDON, April 8. Despite the recent statement by Mr Bromley, the Locomotive Men'B Society has decided to support the minors to the extent of instructing its branches to refuse to work traffic to and from the collieries, and also to refuse to remove anybody whom they consider is "black,legging" into the mining areas. The • Society will consider the total withdrawal of the labour of its members if the Triple Alliance decides to strike. ' ' [A previous message said: Mr Bromsecretary of the Locomotive Men's Society, says he cannot understand the attitude ot the Triple Alliance. If it had acted unitedly, against the Government and the coal-owners, it could have prevented the strike. It ■ was peculiar that such a powerful body should wait until its constituent parts were striking'before considering the position. In his «• opinion, the Triple Alliance had lost its opportunity. Mr Bromley points out that "his Society does not belong to the Alliance, and is taking no action.]" TROUBLE IN HFESHIRE. (Received Anril Bth, 0-.35 p.m.) • • ■- ." LONDON, April 7. There were further disturbances at Cowdeubeath, Fifeshire, last night. The police were ■ forced to rise their batons to disperje the crowd, who broko shop ■windows and looted the crntents.- .