BRITISH COAL CRISIS

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 295, 7 September 1920, Page 5

BRITISH COAL CRISIS

MANOEUVRING FOR PEACE

PROSPECTS BRIGHTER STATEMENTS BY MEN'S REPRESENTS JIVES 'By Telegraph-Press Association-Oopyrtelit (Rec. September G, 7.45 p.m.) London, September G. Though it is improbable that tho Txado Union Congress will attempt bridge-building between the Government and tho miners, as the miners are averse, nevertheless manoeuvring for peace ia going on and the prospects are brighter.

flf-r. J. H. Thomas (secretary National Union of Railwayuien), speaking at Portsmouth, said no section of the community had a right to hold the nation to ransom. The miners repudiated the statement, that this strike was for nationalisation. That would be settled at the ballot box. The miners hod received smaller advances than any class in order to meet the higher cost of living. Many thought it would be necessary to fight Labour sooner or later, but Mr. Thomas appealed to those concerned to hesitate befnro embarking on a mad gamble. Mr. F. Hodges and Mr. B. Smillie, secretary and president respectively of tho Minors' Federation, when interviewed, said the miners would not agree to nubI mit their wages claim to an industrial court.—tAus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. QUESTION OFJATiDAY WORK BOILERMAKERS AT SYDNEY DOWN TOOLS Sydney, September 6. The majority of tho engineers at Cockatoo and Garden Islands and Mort's Dock, continued work on Saturday, but the boilonu&kers downed tools.—Press Assn. MEN'S SERVICES DISPENSED WITH EXTENSION OF TROUBLE FEAP.ED. (Rec. September 6, 9.15 p.m.) Sydney, September 6. When the engineers and boilerrhakers reported for duty they were asked to sijjn au agreement to work a forty-eight hours week. A largo number refused, and wore told that their services were not wanted.' The men, after loavingtho shops, proceeded to tho Trades Hall, where they expressed their intention of seeing tho fight through. The leaders cluim that the men have been locked out, and express fears that there will bo a big extension of the trouble. The Clyde works refused to grant a concession to tho men, 250 of whom refused to commence work. The naval dockyards so far nro unaffected. Union leaders are examining the legal aspects of the employers' action, with a view to prosecuting on behalf of individual employees. Cabinet will consider the matter to-mor-row.—Press Assn.

WATERSIDE WORKERS' DISPUTE OVERTIME QUESTION SETTLED. Sydney, September G, A meeting of wharf labourers reaffirmed the decision not to work overtime.—Press Assn. (Itec. September G, 9.15 p.m.) Melbourne, September 0. As a result of a conference between the shipowners and' the AVatersiders' Federation, tho dispute regarding overtime has been settled. It has beon arranged that the men in future shall apply for work at the ship's side, instead of 'being engaged at the Labour Bureau. —Press Assn. COAL-TRIMiiTsiIORT DAY DELAYS ToIIiIPPING. Newcastle, September 6. Tho coal trimmers have decided not to work after i o'clock each afternoon. Tho decision will involve serious shipping delays.—Press Assai.