BOTH SIDES READY TO FIGHT.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1371, 23 February 1912, Page 5

BOTH SIDES READY TO FIGHT.

BRITISH COAL CRISIS.

POSTPONEMENT OF STRIKE IMPROBABLE. CONFERENCES AGREED ON. Dy Tcleeraph-Press Aesoeiation-CopyriKut (Rec. February 23, 0.45 a.m.) London, February 22. Air. D. A. Thomas, managing director of the Cambrian Colliery Combine in South Wales, says the mine-owners in South Wales have made up their minds against a postponement of tho strike except under force majeure. Negotiations, ho declares, can proceed as well with the pits stopped as with them working. The only service required of tho Government will bo to preserve order and protect property. ilr. Hartshorn, who is the guiding spirit among tho miners, speaking at Maestrog, said the miners could not bo beaten. No leader could approve of any other course than a strike without being guilty of treachery. Sir Edward Grey (Foreign Secretary), Mr. Lloyd-George (Chancellor of tho Exchequer) Mr. Sidney Buxton (President of the Board of Trade), and Sir Oeorgo Askwilh (Chief Industrial Commissioner) will attend the Premier at the Coal Coni ferences.

CONFERENCE IN LONDON. FOREIGN CO-OPERATION. London, February 21. Tho coal-owners and miners have acceptted the Prime Minister's invitation to representatives to meet him and some of his colleagues at the Foreign Office separately on Thursday, to consider means to avert a strike. Tho executive of the International Miners' Federation discussed the question of sympathetic action. French and Belgian delegates promised active co-operation. Many British collieries are barricading the pits. Some have engaged ex-soldiers to guard the properties, particularly the stores of coal,

OWNERS OFFER REJECTED. MINIMUM WAGE RATE. London, February 21. The English miners have replied to the masters' offer. They demand the following minimum wage for coal-getters:— In Yorkshire 7s. Gd., Lancashire 75., Midlauds Cs. to,7s„ Derbyshire 7s. IUI. to 7s. Cd.; minimum for other adults, ss. They refuse the proposal that the rates of wages shall remain unchanged for two years, but arc willing to establish committees to secure a fair working scheme.

OPPOSITION" SUPPORT. (Rec. February 21), 0.15 a.m.) London, February 22. Mr. F. E. Smith, Unionist M.P. for tho Walton Division of Liverpool, speaking at Ramsgatc, said all sectkms of tho community would support the Government in any well-considered efforts to prevent tho arbitrament of force in connection with the coal dispute.