COAL STRIKE.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 17117, 12 April 1921, Page 7

COAL STRIKE.

SANER COUNSELS PREVAIL. UNCONDITIONAL RESUMPTION OP NEGOTIATIONS. (By C»W*-Press Aareciation-^CoprTigbt.) (Au3traJian and X.Z. Cable Aesocittion.) LONDON, April 10. It is officially announced that the Miners' Federation is notifying its branches of an unconditional resumption of negotiations with the coal-own-ers on Monday, and urges members to abstain from action interfering with the safety of tho mines or likely to necessitate the use of force by the Gov. ernment. Successive meetings' of the Triple Alliance, from morning till midnight, debated developments in tho negotiations between the Labour leaders, and Mr Llovd George. Mr Lloyd George adhered to the condition that the safety of the mines must be ensured before wages aro discussed. Either the pumpmen must return to work, or a compromise be made whereby the miners shall guarantee not to molest the volunteer pumpmen. The Miners' Federation resisted the compromise, despite pressure by the leaders of the railwnymen and transport workers, "but eventually accepted, realising that there, was dissension among the rank and file of The" railwaymen and transport workers regarding a sympathetic strike, and that there was a clanger'of the strike collapsing owing to the hundreds of thousands of unemployed anxious to work. TRIUMPH FOR COMMON SENSE. MINES TO BE PROTECTED. LONDON, April 10. Mr J. H. Thomas, general secretary of the National Union of Railwaymen, in an interview, saidj "The resumption of negotiations is a triumph for com« mon sense. The right atmosphere has been created, and we must maintain it." Mr J. H. Thomas, speaking to the railway and transport representatives in conference with Mr Lloyd George, pointed out that it would be a crime if a great strike occurred because at first the parties could not be brought together. The deputation left Downing street, having* succeeded in arriving at an agreement which has removed the question regarding the pumpmen. He. thought the Government was entirely right in its determination to,protect "the"" mines. SCHEME OF SETTLEMENT. TRIPLE ALLIANCE STRDSE - THREAT.LONDpN, April 9. The railway companies aro not unduly alarmed. number of employees are expected to remain loyal, a restricted service to be maintained. , The Seamen's and Firemen's Union will ballot on the Triple Alliance decision. ••■■■» The Archbishop of Canterbury has issued an appeal for special prayers on Sunday for a spirit of conciliation. The Newmarket and Uttoxeter race meetings, fixed for next week, have been abandoned. (Router's Teietrrams.} . \. ' -.'-■■'* LONDON; rApril Hk : The rush of vplunteow in the strike trisis continues, and recruiting offices are inundated, , ..;.'.-'Messrs' J. H. Thomas (Railwaymen) and H. Gosling (Transport Workers) and the other, leaders of the moderate wing of the Triple Alliance had .their case strengthened by y the disclosure of the Government scheme, which provides for settlement on a national fcasia. Tli Government will subsidise the 'poorer - areas - in ■ order to Brine ,-fcnere. -to i.the national standard, which will he less drastically reduced than the owners propose. These subsidies will be regarded as temporary, assistance to tide over bad times. It is officially stated that the, country's stocks of food at present are sufficient,' given reasonable economy, arid rationing is not-thought necessary. A food-hoarding order has been issued prohibiting the acquirement of more than a week's supply of food. Meanwhile, evidence is accumulating that-the Triple Alliance's strike threat was not whole-heartedly supported by its members.. Many openly declare that they will refuse to. obey the strike order. " . :X ; . •■.... ,/■■' DAMAGE TO THE MINES. T V,-''v. . LONDON, April 9. Messrs Palmer's steel works at Jarrow hare closed down, rendering 2000 idle. • - Water is rushing into tho Glamorgan collieries at the rate of 3000/ gallons a minute. It is feared that the pits, which are equipped with the most modern appliances'in Great Britain, will be "for ever. • , , There- js now only one pii in Fifeshire where pumping is proceeding. Hostile miners compelled the volunteers at the others to desist. (Received April 11th, 10.86 p.m.) - LONDON -Ajfiril, 10.. It is estimated that the strike is costing the country £15,750,000 a week, including £3,250,000 for defence measures.': '■'-__ --• . (Received Anril 11th. 11.10. p.m.) LONDON, April 11. , In consequence of the.decision of the Miners' Federation, the. pumpmen in most areas .have resumed work at the old rates of pay, not waiting for volunteers to renlace them. The Soulh Wales coalfield has been sayed in the nick of time. The actual floodings are twenty pits in Scotland, eighteen in England, and three in Wales. THE CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS. THE PEOPLE'S BESPONSE. • ■ LONDON, April 10. Proclamations calling up the reserves and appealing for volunteers for the new detence units have been posted in prominent positions. They excited the keenest interest, and scenes reminiscent of the war-time occurred in the streets, stations, and There was the greatest activity at the. War Office, where, from an early hour, queues of volunteers for the detence units formed in Whitehall. The rush to join greatly exceeded expectations. Attestation officials throughout the country have been inundated with applications. The War Office has issued a statement that the response by volunteers in London and the provinces has exceeded all expectations. The volunteers included hundreds of special reserve officers and also retired officers. The-member,}, of the defence units will receive Rejgular Army pay. Semi-war activities prevail at Aldershot Camp and town, where reservists

[n ! 12' Naval reservists are a / moutll and Chatham. P P steady flmv f rom the station to the barracks at Portsmouth last night recalled the outbreak of the war. Buglers ° U ' mnndin Z the Proclamation was screened at the theatres and kinemaa. Among those doing the week's regnlation drill are a number of miners who, in ordinary circumstances, would hare returned to their homes t^-day. Two hundred naval stokers hare left Portsmouth for South Wales. A notice has been issued stating that officers and men of the Is aval Reserve and Naval v olunteer Reserve ore free to join the defence units or other national service organisations.