SOUTH WALES MINERS

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2517, 19 July 1915, Page 5

SOUTH WALES MINERS

••• i- A CONFERENCE ABOUT 200,000 MEN IDLE MEN CARE NOTHING FOR .THE EFFECTS. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright London, July 16. Mr. Runciman had a conference, lasting an hour and a half, with the colliery _ proprietors, and later conferred with tho South' Wales Miners' Federation Executive. Nineteen of the executive aro now in favour of a return to work, and four opposed it. . , •

About 200,000 men are idle, including surface workers. Thirs is disappointment in Cardiff as -the result of the card vote, 47,450 votes being in favour of resumption,- and 89,850 in favour of the strike.

Many of the delegates are mere youths, chosen owing to their violent (Syndicalist opinions. Thoy say openly that they cara nothing for the effects of the strike on the Army and Navy. One delegate stated: "If we keep the collieries idle, ive will get our terms in less than a week."

Mauy non-official miners think that, tho Government has been over-hasty in proclaiming the district. If Mr. Lloyd Georgo had acted as mediator, there would have been no cessation of work. The men say: "It is ho use for Mr. Lloyd' George to meet the, leaders; let him, come and talk to us straight." A proclamation has been posted in the colliery towns, but the readers are indifferent. " The archaic phrases are meaningless to men used to colloquial language. The extremists aro convinced that if the coal is held up the employers and the Government must yield. No one douts that a bal!ot_of tho miners would show an overwhelming majority in favour of resuming work on the day-to-day contracts until the dispute is settled ; but a ballot will not suit the extremists, who are seeking to foice the Government to nationalise the mines.

DETAILS OP THE CONFERENCE THE ATTTTUDE OF THE MEN, (ltec. July 18, 4 p.m.) London, July. 17. The coal owners gave reasons for maintaining their standpoint, but finally placed themselves in Mr. Itunciman's hands. i

The South Wales miners demand the concession of the full programmo, as contained in the draft agreement originally submitted to the coal owners, and tho withdrawal of the application of the Munitions Act to the coalfields, which they claim has caused ten thousand times more feeling than anything else among the miners of South Wales, who are as muoh entitled to a wage agreement as the English. Most of the delegates at Cardiff .have sons and brothers at tho front, and'are as intensely patriotic as,anybody in the Kingdom. 'l'ho miners at Pontypridd declare that the men feel that if the question of a new agreement is postponed until the ond of the war they would be done. Tho delegates informed Mr. Ilmiciman that the proclamation was a blunder,and considerably increased the difficulties of settlement.. The Government was entirely responsible for the situation.

Mr. Riuioiman made various proposals, but the delegates, after discussion of them, insisted upon the immediate necessity of a new minimum, also a new equivalent, in the selling price, as a definite basis for any future advances by an independent of a Conciliation. Board on their demand.

After some discussion in private for tho concession of tho original proposals, and the withdrawal of the proclamation not meeting with a favourable response from Mr. Runciman, the suggestion; that the men be allowed to resume conditionally on the original terms was granted in the meantime, and the executive was to discuss their incorporation- in the new agreoment, but not necessarily to include the whole of the original proposals. Mr. Rnnciuian declined, and emphasised tho fact that Cabinet would view it as art extremely unsatisfactory position if their attitude changed to such an extent. He had already offered tho best terms the Government could concede. It was,'impossible to go further. and if the miners porsistcd, a very serious situation would arise. ' The Munitions Act was already 'enforced, and he at present was unable to find a way out of .the difficulty. Tho minors replied that the proclamation had made the situation worse; solutions were possible a week ago, but now they were unthinkable. The executive decided to adjourn the discussion until this' morning, with the possibility of formulating proposals with a view to securing tho assejit of the wholo of the Exccutivo Committee.

Mr. Hartshorn, interviewed, expressed the opinion that there was widespread criticism .against tho masters among the men, remarking: "What course had wo open? Only that of stopping work. They thought wo would never do this; it meant our overcoming our own patriotism and facing' the scorn and derision; and taunts of the whole country, besides facing Government penalties. They tried to exploit our patriotism. We endeavoured, notwithstanding this, to get decisions in favour of the men,, but one could untliM'fitand tlio foeliiiija of men who oh-

1 Mr. J. Edwards, M.P. (Labour member for Mid-Glamorgan) appeals to Mr. A-squif-li to personally intervene. EXECUTIVE MEETINC ADJOURNED (lice. July 18, 3.'0 p.m.) London, July 17. .The Soutli Wales Miners' Executive discussed yesterday's interview with Mr. Runciman, and foiind it impossible to reach a decision productive of a settlement, and adjourned to Monday. GERMAN WORK.. (Reo. July 18, 6.55' p.m.) London,.; July 17:1' Mabon, strongly urges -th«>' South Wales miners. to follow their leaders' advice, and not to forgot the' cry "Your country needs you," which applies to colliers a3 much as to soldiers and sailors. The "Evening News" suggests that German influences have been at work, in South Wales for a long time.' ''Some of the agitators," it- says, "are suspected to be of German origin. There are more agitators in the'rank'and file of the Welsh coalfields than in any other British field, and many are not of Britilh nationality. This feature"is noteworthy, as Wales is the main source of the Navy's coal supply."-