COAL STRIKE.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 17119, 14 April 1921, Page 7

COAL STRIKE.

GOVERNMENT'S PROPOSALS REJECTED. MINERS DEMAND NATIONAL BOARD. ( . ' (By C*M»—Press Association—Copyright.) (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) ' LONDON. April 12. '.; Mr F. Hodges, secretary of the Miners' Federation, has written to Mr Lloyd George, stating that tho Miners Executive considered the Government's proposed terms, but was compelled to reject them, as they offered no solu- ' tion of the present dispute. (Received April 13th, 10.50 p.m.) LONDON, April 12. It is officially announced that the conference of representatives of the coal owners, the miners, and the Government, after considering the Government proposals, adjourned, the miners' representatives intimating that they would communicate with the Government in writing. The Government representatives in- ' formed tho conference that the pro- ' . pbsed pooling arrangement was imprac- . • ticable. It was not feasible without ' the resumption of permanent control of tho mines by the State. A voluntary ' scheme would inevitably break down. Regarding the proposed national settlement of the wages question, which might be practicable, the Government suggested that in each district there should be a standard wage, which should bo a first charge on the proceeds of the industry, and no profits would be payable until the standard ' wage was satisfied. The principle on which the standard would be faxed would be determined nationally, and tb« amount, settled for each district should be discussed by the present conference. The method of adjustment ot waraß in each district should also be (determined nationally. In detenmn- . iug it regard should be paid, not meri>lv to the price of coal, but to the pas- ■ sibilities of improving wages by increased economy and efficiency, lne uuestion of the relation of the owners Btandard profit to the miners' standard wage should immediately be examined by the Conference. When the coal owners and the miners were agreed upon wages, the Government would give assistance for a short time in. order to mitigate a rapid reduction of wages \n some districts. After the Government's proposals - were disclosed, Mr Herbert Smith, the representative of the Miners' Federai tion, addressed the conference. He 1 said': "We are disappointed again with the Government's scheme. Apart from the offer to subsidise.poor mines, it js the owners' achenfe. We are out for a National Wages' Board. It may be you have it in your miinds to starve us into submission, but it is a bad thing for the country when a case has to be. Won through women's and children's : stomachs; Would to God we could avoid it, but we cannot mako the settlement you have indicated. We are hound to face the consequences." During the conference, Mr F. -Hodges, secretary of the Miners' Federation, made an urgent plea for a national pool, saying that the coal in bad districts as well as tfie coal in good ''districts was required. Because a man , 'struck a good seam it was not right ■ that he should be exploited regardless of those working in a bad geological ■«sea. If the workmen in good areas i;s£ro .willing to make sacrifices, the ' ''owners should be : prepared'to make for their less fortunate brethren. "■ . ■ "li;Mr Hodges proposed a National Coal :Board, consisting of 26 mine owners .jUid 26 miners,, which shpuld determine Tjrhat Jevy to'impose upon the tonnage •raised at every mine. ' • ' ■ ,',' Mr Lloyd George 6aid Mr Hodges's 'sememe would so completely heat down 1 "the industry that it would not be worth while for anybody to pick it up. If there was going to bp nationalisation, let it be the real thing. It was absolutely Impossible to carry such a scheme through tho House of Commons. THE TRIPLE ALLIANCE. STRIKE POSTPONED. , (Banter*.* Telegram*.) LONDON, April 12; The Triple Alliance strike nas been postponed. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) > \ LONDON, April 12. Mr J. H. Thomas, general secretary of the National Union of Railwaymen, announces -that there will be no strike to-night, i Tho railwaymen and transport "workers will await, further orders.