LABOUR UNREST IN BRITAIN
G END OF MINERS' DISPUTE EXPECTED ■ • PERCENTAGE BASIS OF INCREASI » ACCEPTED y ;° RESTIVE RAILWAYMEN Jj (By Telegraph-Press Association-Copyright '■ London, March 2-1. The country is confronted with drastic suddenness ivith the possibility of « national strike of miners, and serious trouble on the railways. Mr. Lloyd George has addressed ,i £• ,°,V 1C EMCll 'i v e Coinniittee of the „ Miners Federation, stating that he does . not desire to meet them again. This is 1 interpreted to mean that the negotin--0 tions are broken off. Two thousand railwnymen employed by Hie Lancashire and Yorkshire Comj pany are striking, owing to the suspension of a driver for refusing to relieve another driver, after he had himself done a days work. 1 \t J [!' - '*,' J l, Thomas (secretary of the t JNational Iniion) says the union executive i will support the strike. " i.i T ' lo l Ijont ' on Underground railwavmen threaten to suspend the Easter holiday traffic unless the Railway Fares Bill is immediately passed by the House of Commons. Tho Bill authorises an increase of fares, which will enable them to receive an increase in wages en ,i sliding scale, which the rest of tho rail--1 waymen are receiving. \ Mr. J. H. Thomas, in the House oi » Commons, announced the Underground i railwaymen's decision. ' Mr. Bonar Law indicated that if the ■ members were willing to curtail tho discussion on the Colsolidated Bill, time - could bo found for the measure. j The Minors' Conference, which was pri- ' vate, was attended by 162 delegates. Mr. • Herbert Smith, who presided, complain- • ed of the tenor of Mr. Lloyd George's i recent speech. Referring to Mr. Lloyd ) George's accusation that the miners' > proposal to take the excess profits on coal • was syndicalism of the worse type, Mr. 1 Smith said the miners' demand was per- [ fectly legitimate. It was made by a group of" workers whoso intentions were ' as fair and above-board as those of any group in the land, whether political or industrial. Representatives from South Wales emphasised that their members would ac- ; cept nothing less than the full amount: indeed, they were by no means satisfied with ,Is. .After the conference, delegates said that South Wales even threatened to strike independently'if the Federated . accepted less than 3s. South Wales considers that as the chief exporting conL i field it is carrving the rest of the industry on its back. Tho delegates state that nil the, exports of coal from the United Kingdom are censing. Coal which is broneht to the pitheads is being directed to the industrial centres. The Government is'making every preparation to carry on the industries in tho event of a strike. > Tho Government's 20 per cent, ofTei is equal to Is. lid. for adults and elevenpence for boys.—Aus.-N.Z, Cable Assn. OPPOSITION TO PERCENTAGE INCREASE. London, Mavch 21. The Government has offered the miners ft 20 per cent, increase in lieu qf tho men's demand for 3s. per shift. The Miners' Federation has rejected. the offer, objecting to the percentage system as differentiating between higher and lower grade men. The federation is prepared to reopen negotiations, and in the meanwhile is arranging to take a strike ballot.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn, London, March 26. .. The Coal Association has issued a statement in which it declares that the Coal Controller acted generously towards the miners in offering a 20 per cent, increase, as the advance would place the miners in a more favourable position than workers in other industries. It is pointed out that since coal for Homo consumption has heen produced at a loss for a long time there is no alternative lietween a rise in the price of coal all round or another subsidy, both of which mean that the consuinor pays.— Imperial News Service. NEGOTIATIONS NOT BROKEN OFF. (Rec. March 23, 5.5 p.m.) ' _ London, March 25. It transpires that Mr. Lloyd George did not refuse to meet tho miners again. He said he was willing to keep the door for negotiations open, but the nhrnses "Official announcement" and "Government no further communication to make" greatly angered the delegates. It is considered in some circles that fhe miners may be appeased by the explanation and a ray of hope exists, but the general view is that the position has reached a deadlock, since the Government statement means that the Government has made.its final offer. The newspnpers. with practical unanimity, regard a strike, as inevitable, though preliminary measures may delay a cessation of work until the end of April.Aus.-N.Z. Cable Aran. CONFERENCE WITH MINISTERS. (Rec. March 28, 11.30 p.m.) London, March 25. Contrary to expectation, the miners' delegates' conference this morning received an invitation to meet MY. Lloyd George, Mr. Bonar Law, and "ther Ministers at Downing Street. The conference was about to adopt the executive's recommendation to proceed with a ballot, but immediately adjourned. The executive had n conference lasting two .vul a lmlf hours with Mr, Lloyd George, when it was stated that the*negotiations still proceeded, but the delegates said Mr. Lloyd George's attitude was disappointing! . They were not very sanguine. The Minors' Conference.'will resume this evening. Mr. Lloyd George announces that ho is willing to meet the miners at any time—Aus.-N.Z, Cable Assn. A MODIFIED OFFER. London, March 25. The miners' delegates will decide tomorrow whether to resume the negotiations with Mr. Lloyd Georw. To-day the Premier met the delegates and made a slightly modified offer—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. (Rec. March 28, midnight.) London. March 25. The Government's amended offer to the miners consists of a 20 per cent, increase, | with a guaranteed minima to boys of 9d.: and to men of Is. fid. The miners' delegates will vote to-morrow on. the question of accenting the percentage prin-ciple—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. PERCENTAGE BASIS "PROVISIONALLY ACCEPTED PEACEFUL SETTLEMI'.N'I' CONFIDENTLY EXPECTED. (Rec. March 28, 5.5 n.mA London, March 27. The situation between the Government and the Miners' Federal inn is that the latter has agreed to accept,a percentage basis in respect to wages increase, provided tho Government increases the offer from 20 to 22.} per cent. The executive previously asked for a 25 per cent, increase. The Federation Executive now asks that under the 22} per cent, increase (here shall be a guarantee of a daily increase of 3s. for all men exceedin" 18 vears, 2s. for all from Hi to 18, and a shiMmr for all under 10. A postponement until March 29 was made to enable the Government to examine the figures preparatory to making a definite proposal. A peaceful settlement is confidently expected—lmperial News Service. IN READINESS FOITfiENERAL STRIKE 4NNOTTVrH\IF\T T?V -R.ATTAVAYMEN'K SECRETARIES'. (Rec. March 28. 5.5 p.m.) London, March 25 The Tniicashire secretaries of the Nalional Union of Ruilwnvmen iinmmnep I hat the.v have rccived lelrwinis lo hold themselves in readiness to call a general strike at a moment's notice, A denotation of the National Union of Railwaymon has gone to Manchester to interview tho
employers in connection with the Lancashire and Yorkshire strike.—Aus.N.Z. C'ablo Assn. RAILWAYMEN'S DISPUTE SETTLED • (Rec. March 23, Midnight.) London, March 25. The Lancashire ami Yorkshire .railway dispute hits been settled. The managers deckled to withdraw the suspension order ftjjiiiiist tJie driver who refused extra d'jty — Aus.«N.Z. Cable Assn. UNDERGROUND SITUATION MORE HOPEFUL. (Rec. March 28, 5.5 .inn.) London, March 25. The London Underground railway situation is more hopeful.—Aus.-N.si. Cable Assn. "A MISCHIEVOUS INVENTION." (Rec. March 28, 5.5 n.ni.) London, March 25. The "Daily Herald" asserts that it learns from unimpeachable, authority that the Government has completed plans for a blockade of the mining areas, with cordons of selected troops, to prevent the passage of persons and commodities in the event of a strike.—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn. (Rec. March 28, 5.5 mm.) London. March 25. Mr Llovd Georjre has assured the miners that the "Daily Herald" report regarding military oreparations is a mischievous invention.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. .
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Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 157, 29 March 1920, Page 5
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1,300LABOUR UNREST IN BRITAIN Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 157, 29 March 1920, Page 5
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