TANGIBLE PROPOSAL

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 55, 2 September 1926, Page 9

TANGIBLE PROPOSAL

WANTED FROM MINERS TO PAVE WAY TO STRIKE SETTLEMENT GOVERNMENT ATTITUDE TO COAL DISPUTE. (United Press Association.—Copyright.) (Reutor's Telegram.) LONDON, 31st August. The coal debate in the House of Commons was preceded by the rejection, by 285 votes to 100, of a motion by Mr. J. E. MaeDonald (Leader of the Opposition) in favour of the adjournment of the House till 7th September, instead of 9th November, as proposed by the Government. Mr. MaeDonald said he hoped the conditions which 'the Labour Party would reveal in the course of the debate would enable the Government to get the two sides together. Mr. W. S. Churchill interjected that the Government had no knowledge of any facts justifying Mr. Mac Donald's hope. PREMIER CRITICISED. Mr. Mac Donald declared that the Government was responsible for the present situation. The Cabinet had been a most efficient and loyal sub-committee for the owners. It had taken up every suggestion by the owners. Tho Prime Minister's letter to America was unworthy of himself and his office. Mr. MacPonald added that there must be a national agreement between the Mining Association and the Miners' Federation. The. one thing required row was for the Government to get the two sides together, or, if that failed, look for some outside good influence to do so. Sir Arthur Steel-Maitland, Minister of Labour, declared that the tone of Mr. Mac Donald's speech was most regrettable. He emphasised ■ that tho Government was roady to act as soon as one side showed a willingness to make a really substantial proposal. Mr. H. Wragg (Con.) suggested the appointment of an independent arbitrator in the person of Sir Herbert Samuel. Lieut.-Colonel Headlani (Con.) said it was time new negotiators were chosen for both sides to enable them to get together, as they might easily do, seeing their differences .were not so great. Mr. Lloyd George said the time had come for the Government again to submit its own proposals, for it was a delusion to anticipate the immediate collapse of the stoppage. CHURCHILL OPTIMISTIC. Mr. Churchill said that the question of hours and wages was no longer an insuperable obstacle. He saw not the slightest difficulty in reconciling the controversy as between national and district settlements. He still hoped the miners' delegate conference would produce some tangible proposal. The Government did not exclude the possibility of making' fresh proposals themselves, if there was a desire for them by both sides, or even only by one side, but this was doubtful, as-the men at present only said: "Give us a subsidy," while the owners said, "leavo us alone." A noteworthy feature of tho debate was that tho Opposition listened attentively to Mr. Churchill, and even cheered his references in relation to.district and national agreements, and the hint that the miners could secure backing for a national, agreement if they proved reasonable on the question of hours. The House has adjourned till 9th November, unless convoked earlier to continue the emergency regulations. In the Labour lobby the; opinion is more hopeful as a result of Mr. Churchill's speech, especially his reference to the reasonableness of the parties, which they interpret to refer to the owners. Meanwhile the National Federation of Safetymen does not entertain the idea of withdrawing the men from the pits. ' "