COAL NEGOTIATIONS

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 29, 29 October 1920, Page 7

COAL NEGOTIATIONS

UNEXPECTED DELAY IN

SETTLEMENT

OWNERS ACCEPT GOVERNMENT SCHEME HITCH REGARDING PERIOD OF TRIAL (By TeleerapU-Presa Association-Oonyrlelrt London, October 27. The miners' lenders have decided to recommend the acceptance of the Government's scheme which lias not yot been disclosed. A settlement, is regarded at certain.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. (Rec. October 28, 5.5 p.m.) London', October 27. At the eleventh hour a hitch over the guarantee against a. lion-recurrence of trouble caused a grave crisis, and will possibly smash the agreement. Tho conference adjourned until to-morrow.— "The Times." (Rec. October 28, 7/30 <p.m.) London, October 27. All parties to the coal negotiations are preserving tho clo;est. secrecy. It is not known definitely what is causing delay in the final acceptance. The Gfly,ernment had *.a scheme drafted this morning which the coal owners accepted. It was then shown to the miners. It. wits understood that tlw.y accepted tho principles, and the Premier was to announce the terms in the. Ilonso of Commons to-night. Unexpectedly, after further discussions, it was found necessary to adjourn until to-morrow. Ono explanation of the so-called bitch is that the Government wants the position reviewed 'after the scheme lias been tried for 'one month, whilst the miners want a three months' trial. Another report states that the South Wales miners are adamant on the question, but no authoritative statement has been mado by any side.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. MINERS ADVANCE NEW PROPOSALS THOUNY QUESTION OF COAL VALUES. (Rec. October 2S, 9.30 p.m.) London, October 28. Tho "Daily Chronicle" states tliat the hitch is duo to tho miners' executive advancing now proposals at tho last moment relating to the thorny question of coal values and tho time when tho wages advance is to be reviewed. _ The new complexity is due to the South Welshmen, as Messrs. Sniillie, Hodges, and Smith were prepared to accept the agreement which was drawn up. The . Government representatives consider the now proposals to bo quito different from anv submitted earlier.—Aus.-N.Z.' Cable Assn.

HITCH DUE TO SOUTH WALES MEN

UNCONDITIONAL ADVANCE DE-

MANDED. (Rec. October 2S, 9.55 p.m.) London, October 28. Some of tho newspapers assert that the miners tlaim the whole margin of profit left on the increased coal production after the masters' statutory profits are deducted. It is generally agreed that the hitch is serious,' and attributable to th'e attitude of South Wales. Mr. Cook, tho Khondda leader, addressing a mass meeting at Porth, said that while the men were anxious for a settlement, they ivould rather a hundred times have no increase than accept an increase which was only a sop to buy over the federation and tie the men down to the present iniquitous system. Th® question of future regulation of wages was ■ far too important to be left ty Mr. Lloyd George and three or four ot the miners' leaders. South Wales had laid it down that peace could ; only come by unconditional concession''of the two shillings advanco. If there were any deviation it must come from the men, not lrom the leaders. , The meeting carried a resolution in favour of tho withdrawal of all labour on-October 30 if no agreement is come to.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assu.

TRADE UNION CONGRESS

CONDEMNS EMERGENCY POWERS

BILL (Rec. October 28, 7.30 ip.m.) London, October 27. The special Trade Union Congress which had been summoned to discuss the general situation in expectation of a coal decision was unable to proceed, but a resolution was carried condemning tho Emergency Powers 'Bill now before Mm House of Commons. It was decided to prepare for the meeting of a special conference at any moment if action became necessary.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

BILL READ THIRD TIME,

(Rec. October 2S, 9.55 p.m.) London, October 28. The Emergency Powers Bill was read a third time by 238 votes to 58.—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn.

SERVING DP "NEWS "FOR BOLSHEVIK!

London, October 28. A wireless message from Moscow has been picked up stating 'that the coal strike had compelled the British Goveminent to flee ivoni London under military protection, and that thousands of factories were closed. —Aus.-N.X. Cable Assn.