MEN’S ATTITUDE DETERMINED.

Gisborne Times, Volume XLV, Issue 3985, 19 July 1915, Page 5

MEN’S ATTITUDE DETERMINED.

PROCLAMATION READ WITH INDIFFERENCE. THE GOVERNMENT LOSING PATIENCE. PLAIN SPEAKING 13 Y MR RUNCIMAN. (UnitGd Press Association—Copyrights LONDON., July 16. Mr Rune;man had half an hour’s conference with the colliery proprietors, and later had a conference with the South "Wales federation executive. Nineteen of the executive now favor u return to work. Four oppose it. About two hundred thousand men are idle, including surface workers. There is disappointment at Cardiff at the result of the card vote, which showed 47,460 in favor of resuriiption and 89,850 in favor of a strike. Many delegates were mere youths, chosen owing to the violent syndicalist opinions. They say openly that they care nothing for the effects of the strike on the army and navy. One delegate stated: ‘‘lf we keep the collieries idle we will get terms in less than a week.” Many non-official miners think the Government over-hasty in proclaiming the district under the Munitions Act, and say that if Mr Lloyd George Juki acted as mediator there would have been no cessation of work.

Tho men say it is no use Mr Lloyd George meeting the leaders. ; 'T.et him come and talk to us straight.” Tho proclamation lias keen posted in the colliery towns, hut the readers of it, are indifferent to its archaic phrases, which are meaningless to men used to colloquial language. Extremists are convinced that if the coal is held up the employers and the Government must yield. No one doubts that a ballot of mine would show an overwhelming maje Ay in favor of resuming work on d /-to-day contracts until tho dispute s settled, but the ballot would not suit the extremists, who are seeking to force the Government to nationalise the mines.