WELSH COAL CRISIS

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2515, 16 July 1915, Page 5

WELSH COAL CRISIS

NO DECISION YET DISAFFECTION CAUSED BY SOCIALISTS URGENT APPEAL TO THE MINERS Br Telegraph—Press , Association—Copyright ' London, July 14. The executive of the South "Wales miners has been a whole day in conference. but has not yet announced its decision regarding the question of a strike. The desire to strike is confined to the Socialists, who aro influential, but .represent a small minority. The men in some of the collieries threaten to strike, whatever the leaders decide.

Mr. Clem Edwards (Liberal M.P. for East Glamorgan), in an urgent appeal to the 'miners not to strike, says:— "Coal is tlio very life-blood of the licet." He believes the men liavc £ legitimate grievance, and that many of the coalowncrs have-been unreasonable; "but South Wales's sacrifice of material interests is nothing compared to the sacrifice made by the soldiers wlio liavo given tlieir lives or limbs. If the miners, do not stop tlio coal supply, many of tis are prepared to help to remedy the grievances, even to the extent of urging the Government to take over the mines."

MERTHYR MEN WILE NOT RESUME. (Rec July 16, 0.5 a.m.)

London, July 15. At a meeting of the Merthyr district colliery workers it was decided to carry out"the conference's decision not to resume work. PRICE OF COAL FIXED BY THE STATE. BILL IN PARLIAMENT. ■ London, July. 14. Mr. Rumanian's _ (President of t-lic Board of Trade) Bill prohibits the sale of coal at the pit's mouth at more than 4s. above the. price for the corresponding date of tho year ending June, 1914, and provides for a penalty of £100 or a fine not exceeding treble the amount by which tho sum payable exceeds tho maximum prico legally fixed. Tho Board of Trade will decide questions regarding the corresponding price. The Bill does not apply to exported or ships' coal.