THE SOUTH WALES MINERS' DISPUTE,

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2545, 20 August 1915, Page 5

THE SOUTH WALES MINERS' DISPUTE,

PROGRESS OF NEGOTIATIONS. By Telegraph—Preso' Association—Copyright London, August 18. , Official.—-"The. coal-owners aad millers of South Wales have met in joint conference on several occasions since July 20, when tho settlement of the South Wales dispute was reached. They made some progress embodying the terms of that settlement in an agreement between the Coal-owners' Association and the South Wales Miners' Federation, but were unable' to agree on the clauses on several important points. Both sides referred these to Mr. . Runciman, .'agreeing that his decision would bo final. The hearing was taken •on. Tuesday and AVednesday, when both sides : completed their arguments, and agreement on several clauses was arrived at on many points. On tlioso left open, Mr. Runciman will give his decision in a day or two. ' NATIONAL CONFERENCE. SUSPENSION OF EIGHT HOURS ACT PROPOSED. (Rec. August 20, 0.20 a.m.) . London, August 19. In accordance with' the Coal Organisation Committee's suggestion the Government is summoning for the beginning of September a" nationar conference of the mining : industry to consider the suspension of the Eight Hours Act. Some owners oppose the suspension';' the Scottish and South Wales owners favour, local conferences in districts where the production is below the State's requirements; the miners favour a national conference, but in certain , districts, especially South Wales, they oppose the suspension.