AMENDMENT DEFEATED.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1390, 25 March 1912, Page 7

AMENDMENT DEFEATED.

LABOUR ASKS FOR DEFINITE RATES FURTHER CONFERENCE. (Fee. Mnrch 24, 5.5 p.m.) London, March 23. The Prime Minister stated that if actual minimum rates were inserted in the Bill there would ba enormous difficulty in persuading the boards to entertain any other basis. The rejection of tho rates did not imply that the .amounts were unreasonable. Mr. Bonar Law, Leader of the Opposition, stated that the miners' schedule in some districts fixed the rate at 4s. lid., realising that the companies could not aiford five shilling's. The fixing of a standard wage would increase tho price of coal, and would close many mines.

Mr. Ramsay Mac Donald, Leader of the Labour party, said it was difficult to induce the men to resume without stating the amount. Tho men must have something definite, although they were willing to waive their own full schedule.

Sir Edwnrd Grey, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, said ho thought the Labour party would act wisely in accepting the measure on tho understanding that they might have a conference between the owners and the men to settle the question of the minimum. Mr. Enoch Edwards's amendment to insert the federation's schedule was negatived, the voting , being:— For the amendment 55 Against the amendment 357 Majority against 302 . An amendment was inserted safeguarding existing agreements for the payment of wages at a higher minimum than might be tixed under the Act. Tho Prime Minister then announced that he would adopt Sir Edward Grey's suggestion for a further conference on the minimum before the report stage on the Bill is taken.