COAL CRISIS.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18417, 25 June 1925, Page 9

COAL CRISIS.

BRITISH OWNERS' ACTION. LOWER "WAGES AND LONGER HOURS. IBY CABLE— riIF.SS ASSOCIATION—COFYTtIGHT.) (AUSTRALIAN AND N. 7.. CABLE ASSOCIATION., LONDON. June 2.:. The crisis in tin.- coal mining indus try was i!ic subject of an interview with Mr Baldwin by Jfr A. J. Cook, secretary of the Miners' ' Perk-ration, with a view to the Prime Minister receiving a deputation to discuss the subject, with the object of averting an immediate crisis. At a meeting of a joint suo-comnnt-tee of enquiry into the i-oal indusiiy, tho London coal owners informed the miners that they were giving a month's. notice' as from Juno ."Oth, to end ;'>.■ present wage agreement, and requesting the Government to pass the legislation necessary to enable a return to be made to the eight-hour day.

The miners' representatives replied that they could not consider the qui >• tion of longer hours, which would nut solve the coal-mining problem.

Tho outlook was drawn attention to in tho House of Commons, after a rvply by Lieutenant-Colonel 8. K. Lane-Fo>:, Under-Secretary for Mines, who said that 3GI coal mines which, under normal conditions, would be employing 72,000 men, had been closed down, and had not reopened, since November isi. and that 122 mines, employing 13,000 men, had opened or reopened. Mr Ramsay Mac Donald asked whether the Government contemplated taking any action in view of the serious position, and tho gravity of the situation, which might arise in tho event of a dispute in this industry. Mr Baldwin, replying, said he understood that discussions were proceeding between tho colliery owners and the miners' representatives which mignt have important and, perhaps, serious consequences, but ho expressed the opinion that tho Government should only intervene as a last resort. It, thercforo, would bo premature to make a statement.

Tho Prime Minister admitted that a serious and difficult position would arise if the trade were unable to adjust conditions to cnablo it to compete in •the world's markets. (Eeccived Juno 24th, 7.20 p.m.) j The coal owners intimated that they were not prepared to submit proposals for a new agreement, and suggested that tho two sidos should meet after tho owners' conference on Thursday. ■ The Prime Minister, who received a deputation from tfyo General Council of tho Trades Union Congress, rejected a proposal for the nationalisation of mines and minerals, as he thought it would provo more costly than the present system. OWNERS' INTENTIONS. (iUSTRiLIAS AKD K.Z. CABM ASSOCIATION.) (Received Juno 24th, 10.35 p.m.) LONDON, June 24. Tho "Daily Herald" affirms that the mine-owners intend, in tho event of no agreement being reached by Juno 30th, to post notices offering work at revised rates, thus throwing the onus for any stoppage on tho miners and preventing them from receiving unemployment insurance benefits. RAILWAYMEN MEET. (beuter's telegrams.) LONDON, June 23. The executive of the National Union of Itailwaymen will meet to-morrow to discuss tho emergency conference called by the railways managers for Thursday, in regard to the effect of the serious drop in tho railway companies' receipts.