MINERS' STRIKE.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 17127, 23 April 1921, Page 11

MINERS' STRIKE.

THE WAGES PROBLEM.

DEADLOCK CONTINUES.

fe» Cable—Press Association—Copyright.) (Xtutralian and N.Z. Cable Association.) LONDON, April 21.

After a meeting of the executive of the Miners' Federation, Mr F. Hodges announced that the reports from tho various districts showed that tho men uero standing firm by their principle of.a National Wages Board and pool. The offers by the coal-owners had been discussed, but they did not convoy anything more definite than had been already suggested by the president of the Coal-Owners' Association.

"Our executive does hot proposo to make any recommendation at to-mor-row's conference/' said Mr Hodges, and added that it was evident that, the owners had riot yet got down to the basic facts which would bring the partics together. (Received April 22nd, 8.30 p.m.; v LONDON, April 22, A Conference, representing the coalowners and miners, discussed thy owners'' wages proposals. No progress was made. The miners requested elucidation of tho proposals. DISTRESS IN COAL AREAS. MANY FAMILIES DESTITUTE. LONDON, April 21. ''A .surprise discovery* was made- of a : ooal seam under a clay pit near Bristol.. Tho seam will yield auffi.cieftt coal to prevent the closing down • of'the large works. Ihore is considerable distress in Northumberland and Durham. The Lord/Mayor of Newcastle-o'n-Tyne is iria'ugurating relief "measures for huheft children. The Bristol Trade Unijbrt Council is distributing 2s a week for each miner's the Durham Miners* Federation, by a majority of 95 per cent., favoured a contiiuahco, of the strike Until th» national wages pool was "conceded. Twojthirds of the South Wales engino men novo decided to. oppose the min- , eri'> demands ,fof the withdrawal of the .'safety' men.'',' the Cardiff oiorre'spondent of tho ''Daily Chronicle" says that bitter oriel of "distress are heard in all parts or tfcuth Wales. Many fainUieß already are in dire need. Women are pawning their wedding rings,' and in some houses: the only realisable furniture is the bed, '-Three hundred families are •destitute ill'the Cardiff district, whore hungry men are .thronging > the'. Cardiff unemployment oxchangfe in a fruitless quest of Work, There are also 4060 worklese sf amen in the docks, and •v many: destitute in, Cardiff. The health Nrcommittee, therefore, has asked the Go yfrnment toaeopmniodate a large nUm-; : k her of coloufcd.seamen in concentration- ,■'-, camps, if they cannot be repatriated. v. (Distress funds are beiiur used to re« ' sljeve. the' worst Bases. ;Tjae churches ;'Vand collierV lodges are joining in organi jising funds.... ..,„■:.„■,,. . . yVi i ~ Probably communal kitchens will be v;i; opened '; is a coal shortage, • ,

' CHEAP OERMAK COAL. * (ReuWi Tdegtuni.) (Received Apnl 22nd, 7.30 p.m.)- , LONDON, April 21. German coal is being freely offered At Swansea, at 6d per ton, c.i.f., which is approximately half the price of best Welsh coal. Z. DIRECT ACTION. * ' WORKERS Evicy TJNJON, - l-.> t omoiAi.^ ]\ (AiUtralkn kid N.Z. Cable Aaeocdalion.) r" • -' .LONDON, April 21. . < The rank and file, of ' the Vehicle i Workers' ~ "Union seized Transport '. House, the Union's central office, turn- '£ out the 'officials, 'and decided to ih carry on. the work, in accordance with {) their own wishes. J;*»#he'action is the outcome of protest <} meetings held in London on the ground ; <d that'the officials refused to carry-out I 'I? the members' -mandates, and had Been jflecretly discussing matters'referring to vja>reduction of wages .without notifying members. ' 4?"fi . -i