800,000 MINERS IDLE.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1378, 2 March 1912, Page 5

800,000 MINERS IDLE.

COAL STRIKE BEGINS. LIFE-BLOOD OF BRITISH INDUSTRY CUT OFF. RAILWAY SERVICES REDUCED.

By rolenapfc-l 1 "" Ai»«l»t!»*-«»»n*I»» London, February 29. There are now 800,000 miners idle. The men ire exhibiting r holiday spirit without ill-feeling. The extent of the strike may be judged from tho fact that there were 1,067,213 persons employed in coal mining in tho United Kingdom in 1911, of which number 853.512 wero working underground. Tho output totalled 271,878,924 tons. Tho miners' leaders are jubilant at the Government recognition of tho principle of a minimum wage. The men's conference to-day resolved, however, to maintain tho full demands, including a schedule of rates for each district for an individual minimum wage, Tho owners accepting the Government proposals represent GO per centum of the output and employ 370,000 persons. Those not accepting employ 293,000.

OWNERS WILL FIGHT. Mr. D. Thomas, managing director'of tho Cambrian Collieries Combino, and president of the owners' organisation, in an interview, said that the South Wales owners would rather submit to compulsion than accept tho Government's proposals voluntarily. The men wore tearing up an agreement, and tho Government's proposals did not contain provisions giving the owners a ' guarantee that a new agreement would be observed. The Government has drafted a Bill providing for the establishment of wages board for the coalowners and men for the settlement of the minimum wage question, Sir George Askwith, chairman of the Board of Trade's / Conciliation Council, to be umpiro in the event of a deadlock. It is expected that Labour members will support the Bill and that the Opposition will not oppose it.

SUGGESTED, SETTLEMENT. The "Westminster Gazette" recommends, after a temporary settlement, the appointment of a commission or a joint board to consider the whole condition of the coal industry, and tho recoupment of the owners—not necessarily from profits, but possibly from the increased efficiency of labour, the better equipment of minos, or an increase in the price to the public. Permanent peace, says tho "Gazette," is impossible unless both sides approach the question as a matter affecting their joint interests. The "Morning Leader" says:—"The men's claim that tho minimum wage shall be that fixed by the Miners' Federation cannot bo maintained. The public has a right to expect from them moderation and appreciation of tho gravity of the issue." The Admiralty is discussing the question of the purchase of some of the South Wales collieries. Ten thousand of. the South Wales engine men announce their intention of striking immediately for a minimum wage.

Berlin, February 29. The "Cologne Gazette" states that the Rhenish and Westphalian mineownera will not send coal to England; but hope to capture certain .German markets where English coal preponderates.

MR. AaeUITH'SWARNINC. MINERS' TERRIBLE RESPONSIBILITY. GOVERNMENT GUARANTEES MINIMUM. Bj Telesru.trti-'PMBi Aesoeia'.lon-OeprrU'nl (Rec. March 1, 0.40 p.m.) London, March 1. The Prime Minister, at yesterday morning'* session of the Miners' Conference, laid emphasis on the fact that the coal trade was the life-Hood of industry. The Government had considered the principle of the minimum wage ■without nlnss or party bias. They did not intend that what they believed to be a dwindling minority of employers should unduly, delay the attainment of the object which the Government believed the miners had properly submitted to them. The Government would make themselves responsibls Tor securing a reasonable minimum wage up and down the country. There was a presumption that the Government's decision might be the cause of the peat majority of the employers assenting to reason.

Question of Local Ratei. With regard to the different minimum wages claimed, he was unable to procure .evidence as to the reasonableness of the particular rates decided upon by the men on February 2, and it was necessary that the miners allow a. reasonable latitude of discussion with regard to partioular rates if tho Government mado themselves responsible. "You must," continued Mr. Asquifch, "allow us to discuss with your accredited representatives and the employers whether any particular figure is reasonable. You are trying to achieve a minimum, not for tho purpose of raising the wage* of coal-min-ers as a whole, because the bulk of the coal miners already got above the minimum, but you are acting on behalf of 20 or 25 per cent, who are unablo effectively to care for themselves. It is a great thing that sixty per cent, of tho coalownors have accepted tho principle. A terrible responsibility will rest with tho miners if they cling to a partioular formula or set out figures which will hinder the achievement of the result so near attainment." Tho Premier concluded by appealing to the miners not to forget the great mass of peoplo outsido whose welfare and existence were largely dependent on the coal trade.

Miners Refuse to Yield. The Miners' Conference was delighted at tho tone of the Premier's speech, believing that tho sympathy of the Government will give immense tactical advantage in I he content with tho owners, but the plea, of reasonable lattitude in discussion with regard to particular rates was received .>'ilh strong disfavour. The Premier, realising this, asked tlm committee tr> rodiseuss Lb« scheme with thn Qovnrnmont to-duj. Tiw ntioorf ]m.t« luiAninouflly rtfcfiUmsd.

that no term* will be accepted unl«s they inolude a. schedule rate for each district. Labour Party Bill. As the result of representations by Sir G. R. Askwith, Chief Industrial Commissioner, tho Northumberland coalowaers, employing 70,000 men, havo agreed to the principle of a minimum wage, but are unable to consent to a minimum irrespective of the workmen's ability and disposition to earn such wage. The Labour party has decided that if tho Government do not legislate they will themselves introduce a Bill to fix a statutory minimum wage on the coalfields, cmbodying the rates agreed upon on February 2. A heavy reduction in the railway services is announced. /

Men Go Out Quietly. "Downing tools" waa carried out quietly by the men, who mostly left their tools in the pits, expecting after weeks of so-called "play" to return with the minimum wage secured.

POSITION IN GERMANY. NO COAL FOR ENGLAND. Berlin, February 2?. The "Cologne Gazette" states that the Rhonisb and We3tphalian mineowners will not 6end coal to England, but hope to capture certain German markets v. hero English coal predominates.