BRITISH MINERS' DISPUTE

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 294, 6 September 1920, Page 5

BRITISH MINERS' DISPUTE

BIG STRIKE PREDICTED

LOCK-OUT IN ENGINEERING TRADE MILLIONS OF WORKERS AFFECTED By Telegraph-PrcES ABSOciation-Copyrtelit London, September. 2. The Miners' Conference lasted" only a quarter of an hour, and' it is unofficially announced that there is no hope- of mediation from- tho Triple, Alliance, which has : decided to-stand-'by the miners:

Mr. Will Adamson, MJ., says: "Got in coal, it is going to bo'a-big strike." The next possibility for a-move in. the direction of a settlement is the Trade Union Congress, which-is to meet in Portsmouth' on Monday. The public generally believe the strike will not eventuate, 'especially with an interval.of three; weeks for negotiations.' T3ffbrt3 to settle the' engineering; dispute have failed, and the lock-out. begins on Saturday. In view of tlio number" of engineers depending on' the, electrical workers, it is estimated that a million and a half will be affected if the'electrical workers are-locked out: It is estimated that a coal strike would render idle a million and a half of workers in other industries in tho first week. 2,150,000 in the second week, and 2,(513,000 in (lie third.-Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.STATEMENT OF' MINERS' CASE. (Rec. September 5, 5.5 p.m.) London, September 3. The newspapers publish a lengthy official statement by the miners-of their case, declaring that the miners arc-not claiming all they believe they are entitled to. but- only tbo minimum to 1 enable ttiem to meet; the 'cost of: living. Tlicv also insist that tho prico of domestic coal shall be reduced-by lis. 2d... per ton, thereby' benefiting each poor family about 00s. yearly.—Aus.-N.Z. r Cable Assn. FRDITLEMNFERENCES'. DOOR- OPEN FOR FRESH'PROPOSALS FROM- MINERS. . (Rec. September 5i 5.5 p.m.) London; September 3" Sir Robert' Home states that he do; sires to leave a door opon for any fresh nroposnls by : the' miners. "So far there has been no indication' of ''proposals,' and" nothing" has been gained by conferring: with the miners' leaders.' Until put forward I shall continue to" hope, that a strike will be'.averted: No-'question of' dignity will be" allowed to'stand'in-the 1 war of beginning negotiations."—Aus,N.Z. Cable Assn.

TRIPLE' ALLIANCE' TVAITTNR FOR/ GO VERNMENT' TO'- MOVE (Rec. September 5, 5.5 p.m.) London, September 3. It is-stated that the Triple.-Alliance is' waiting, for- the Government ;to:make-.tno nest move. The longer" they wait-the more critical things become.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

PROSPECTS OF A' COMPROMISE ANOTHER MINERS' BALLOT: TO BliS TAKEN. (Rec. September G, ,0.50' a.m:) London, September i. Probably the Miners' Eederation will, reply to Sir Robert Home's.conciliatory, statement, thereby paving, the way for negotiations. It is' believed- that if the federation abandoned, the- demand to reduce the price of domestic-coal, little difficulty would bo experienced- iu arriving, at a. satisfactory compromise- on' tho' wages claim. It is reported: that the federation is ready to consider'any reu. sonable offer from the: Government Mid to submit it-to a-, miners' ballot. Tho' preliminary 6teps are- already being taken for another ballot.

The "Observer" emphasises ■ the widespread growing eouviction'that if Sir, Egbert Jfarne arid Mr. Smillio- met a way out of the impasse could be found. The "Sunday Times" saysi that: Mr;. Smillieand Sir Robert Home agree to the'principle of mediation. They differ only on of detail and machinery.—Aus.N.Z. Gable Assn.

PUBLIC INQUIRY SUGGESTED

PROPOSAL THAT WIVES VOTE IN BALTjOTS; (Rec. September 6, 0.5 a.m.). London,,. September' 5. A suggestion that the-Government and. the miners: should agree to a 1 public inquiry concerning an increase in output, and the relation of wages thereto'is'gaming, adherents among- Labour leaders The' Portsmouth Women's National. Political League is- strenuously striving to avert a strike, and is organising-, a conference of' mimers' and transporters' wives in London with' -a- view- to propose ing that the wives, equally with; the husbatids, participate in: strike ballots. Many similar conferences' are" beitag'. arranged in the- provinces.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable' Assn'. ,

MINERS' SEEK SINEWS. OF WAR

LOAN REFUSED' BY BANKS. (Rec. September 5, 5:5. p.m.) London, September: 4. The "Daily Chronicle" states thatrtheMiners' Union yesterday sought a lonn against' gilt-edged securities," but the banks refused 1 to provide the sinews of war. The miners' art)- not desirous;,of selling the stock, owing to depreciation, hence they desire & loan.—Aus;-N.Z.' Cable A6sn. ELECTRICIANS ANDMTERS DISPUTES (Rec. September 6,' 0.50 a.m.) London, September ( 5. The electricians' and printers' disputes are still in progress.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. COAL TRIBUNAL AT SYDNEY REPUDIATED BY ILLAWARRA MINERS. Sydney, September 4. The Illawarra coahniners passed a resolulion repudiating the coal tribiroal at present sitting in Sydney, and urging. its representative to withdraw—Press: Assn. NO WORK ON SATURDAYS DECIDED UPON BY ENGINEERS AND BOILERMAKERS. (Rec. September 5, 5.5 p.m.) Sydney. September 5. Mass meetings of engineers, boilermalcers, and stovomakers decided in futuro not to work on Saturdays.—Press Assn. BIG STRIKE AT RIO DE JANEIRO A BOOKKEEPER OBJECTED TO. (Rec. September's, 5.5 p.m.) Rio de Janeiro, September 3. The employees of the Banco National Marine, one of tho largest in'' South America, have struck because the management refused to discharge the chief bookkeeper. The strike has disturbed tho entire financial district.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.