COAL DEADLOCK

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 165, 8 April 1921, Page 5

COAL DEADLOCK

HITCH IN NEGOTIATIONS MEN REFUSE TO RESUME PUMPING

STATEMENT BY MR. LLOYD GEORGE

By Telegraph—Press Association-Oopyright

(Rec. April 7, 5.5 p.m.) London, April 6.

In the House of Commons, after the resolution sanctioning the emergency regulations had been agreed to, Mr. Lloyd George said that earlier in the proceedings he had reported to tho House that he had received letters from filo Minoa's’ Federation and the Mining Association indicating that they were willing to come together to resume negotiations. "Hast night," the Premier proceeded, "I stated the conditions under which negotiations wore alone possible. 1 thought the House was in general agreement. (Cheers). Ono was that the Miners’ Federation should take the necessary steps to resume pumping, also to save the pit ponies. I much regret that the miners have come to a. decision which makes it impossible for negotiations to lie resumed, unless the obstacle is overcome. The Miners’ Federation has just communicated that it cannot see its way to give instructions to resume pumping during the negotiations. Mr. Lloyd George continued that there was possibly some misunderstanding os regards the terms on which tho pumpmen should resume. They would bo paid the old rate, without prejudice, therefore he appealed to the members who represented the miners to get the Federation to reconsider .its decision. There was nothing derogatory in giving instructions during the time negotiations wore going on, so that at tho end of the negotiations the mines would be there for the miners, the owners and the nation. Mr. J. H. Thomas said he hoped memI>ers would keep clearly in mind that tho first essential was to bring the parties together. Mr. J. R. Clynes said his impression from Mr. Lloyd George’s remarks was that the question of working the pumps should be tho first subject for discussion at tho conference. "Mr. Lloyd George intervened and said: I made it clear, and Mr. Asquith agreed, that an essential preliminary to any negotiations was that tho ongineonen and pumpmen should resume." Mr. Lloyd George added: "I cannot believe the view now expressed represents the final determination' of the Miners’ Federation, that while the people concerned are discussing a. national settlement the mines shall be allowed gradually to bo deetroyMr. Clynes resumed, and said tho Prime Minister could be assured of the goodwill of the Labour Party in meeting both sides. Later it was announced that , MT. Lloyd George had written to the miners them to meet him in the morning at Downing Street. t Mr. F. Hodges (secretary of the Miners Federation) states that the Federation considers the condition regarding pumping is unnecessary, and ought not to have been put in. The men still desire a meeting.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

EMERGENCY REGULATIONS

AGREED TO BY LARGE MAJORITY. London, April 6. 'The House of Commons agreed to the Emergency Regulations by 270 votes to 60. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. PUMPMEN INTIMIDATED PITS BEING DESTROYED BY WATER AND FIRE. (Rec. April 7, 5.5 p.m.) London,-April G.

Disorder continues in Lanarkshire, and rnfiny strikers have been arrested for interfering with the pump men. Widespread intimidation of pump men continues, especially in Lanarkshire, where the police have experienced difficulty in protecting the enginemen. In one Lanarkshire pit a man on duty fired two blank shots from a revolver, hoping to frighten an invading mob. There rush of angry miners and much stone throwing. Bread vans with supplies for the workers were intercepted, Lnd‘ haystacks belonging to the collenre were burned. A mob at Dabeath pit, Fifeshire, captured Mr. Spalding, manager of the Fife Coal'Company and beat him about the face with sticks. They tried to fling him into a pond, but. others intervened and prevented it. Only one pit in West Fife continues pumping. Marines armed with guus are protecting. Rcsyth dockyards. The Cambrian colleries at Clydach Vale are in danger of destruction by fire, as the stoppage of machines reversed the air current and fires commenced. Tho miners in Sirhowy Valley invaded the nlines and forced the officials, stokers, nnd winders to leave. The Rhondda pits are now at the mercy of the inruehing water. It looks as though the whole of the South Staffordshire mines will be drowned out, as there is no plant capable of dealing with the rush of water which has occurred. The collleI ?®’ in the Tipton district are irretrievably niined through flooding. Many, Derbyshire miners are loyal, and are keeping tho mines dry and in repair.-Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

DESPERATE POSITION IN SOUTH WALES

FIREMEN PROTEST AGAINST FEDERATION’S ACTION. (Rec. April 7, 5.5 p.m.) London, April 6. The position regarding the South Welsh mines is becoming drepemte. Extremists are winning the day, and in district after district they prevent pumpin- The owners declare that unless something is done without delay Ke^ thousand miners will- be unemployed for months. In most cases deputations of miners sent an ultimatum to the owners demanding the cessation of pumping Some yielded forthwith, »nd others when the miners threatened force. Tn a fo" cases the officials were assaulted. Representatives of the Colliery Firemen’s Association met at Cardiff, and passed a resolution of strong protest P l Afinf*rs* eTation s actiom which ignores the asroctation’s rights and Ir-icfs A further meeting on Friday Will consider the policy to be adopted-Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

ENCOUNTERS BETWEEN POLICE AND

STRIKERS

M\SS MEETINGS RESENT PUMFMEN’S WITHDRAWAL. London, April 6.

4 number of casualties followed encounters between the police and strikers nt Cowdenbeath,, in Fifeshire. The miners repeatedly broke the police cordon anil dislocated the street lighting, p J'nging the township info darkness. I ohce reinforcements have l>een despatched. Mass meetings at Wattstown and Yniehir (Glamorganshire) passed resolution, resenting tho withdrawal of the pumpmen, the intimidation of officials, and picketing, which it was declared the lodges had not Authorised. (ither Welsh reports state that several mines in consequence of damage by will roqu-ire six to twelve months be returned to working order. The rfSast,

which are expensive to work, will probably never be reopened.— Cable Assn. transporFWorkers DECIDE TO ASSIST MINERS. London, April 6. The conferancs of transport workers in London decided to give the miners all assistance in their power to whatever extent is necessary. They arc now negotiating with the railwaymen and miners.—Aus.-N.Z. Oablo Assn.

DUTCH MINERS DEMAND STATE AID TO MAINTAIN

WAGES.

Amsterdam, April 6.

The Coal Commission is c’mussing wage reductions. The miners are demanding State aid to maintain the present rates. The owners now offer the present wages until April; a 6 per cent, reduction to operate in May.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.