THE COAL STRIKE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XLV, Issue 3987, 21 July 1915, Page 5

THE COAL STRIKE.

THE SITUATION MORE HOPEFUL MR LLOYD-GEORGE TAKES A HANDMINISTERS GOING TO CARDIFF. NEW SUGGESTION FOR SETTLEMENT.

LONDON, July 19. in _ the House of Commons, Mr Runciinau moved tho second reading of the Coal Limitation of Prices Bill. Mr Walton moved its rejection on the grounds that it penalised one industry and allowed other Inigo profitmaking industries to go free. The coal difficulty is more hopeful. Members of the executive are about to leave Ca.rdilf for London, it is believed to bring a new suggestion for settlement. Mr Itiuieiman stopped the deputation subsequently as the outcome of a Cabinet decision and Mr Lloyd-George accompanied by Mr llunciman and Mr Arthur Henderson, left for Cardiff. Mr Rurieimun, in the House of Commons, stated that the rise in the price of coal represented about twenty millions for the year. The Bill would not preclude the Chancellor or the Exchequer laying hands on the war profirs of any industry.

In the House of Commons the Coal Bill was read a .second time. Mi' Hunciman stated that'owing to the enlistment of one out- of every five miners, the output which in the period January to June, 1914, was 200,060,000 tons, in the same period of 1915 vas 127,500,000 tons. The Bill was a rough and ready method of preventing abnormal prices. The average extra cost in consequence of war 'bonuses was between 9u and Is. They had not discovered a coal ring. London retailers had permitted. him to examine their books and had agreed on a maximum price for the summer and wen.’ prepared to make a similar arrangement for the winter. _ There tore it was unfair to arbitrarily fix a standard price. lie hoped the South Wales settlement- would be stable and peaceful. Every other coalfield had agreed to the arrangements made tor the war.

Sir A. B. Markham urged, the Minister to fix a maximum retail price, otherwise the middlemen would fieecc the poor. Mi- Lloyd George had an enthusiastic welcome at Newport. The Cabinet Ministers immediately conferred vitb the miners oexcut-ive. me "Manchester Guardian” _ suggests national control of all collieries or the South V7ale> field only, which would terminate automatically utter the wiir. the owners in the meanwhile to enjov incomes has eel on the average profits 'in the preeediji<f tlio ws»i* utk! al'O .v.ihirif-s it xney men;;a-* their own pits. ice workmen wool I then accept com puls tonus public servants, knowing the profits were going to the country. It is impossible to treat a man working for a private employer as a transgressor of the public law when he withholds bis labor. LOOKING TO MR. LLOYDGEORGE. MINERS BHAMKEACED. BUT DETERMINED. fßeceived Julv 20. 11.5 p.m.) LONDON. July 20. The older men in South Wales regret the strike almost to a man ; ad many are dejected and shamefaced, feeling their odious position, but <. - dare that unless they get their rigb now. smaller demands after peace win enable the employers to treat them, worse than ever. Most of them adm . they are sorry they struck, but ac • that they wili not give in now. Tin* belief that the companies are making fabulous fortunes is umvorsaL though there is no evidence of the tact. The moving spirits are a little band of Syndicalists'. vlio are out to wreck society, but fear to put their views to the test of a genera! ballot. The general impression is that err LJovd-Goorge will find a way of making' it easy for the miners to retreat from tlioir impossible position.

NO SETTLEMENT YET. MR LLOYD-GEORGE'S CONFERENCE. (Received Julv 20. 9.55 p.m.! LONDON, July 20. At the Newport conference, Mr Lloyd-George pointed out the extreme gravity of the situation, pointing out the effect or the strike upon the Continent. He said no Government could allow a continuance «>i a conflict winch imperilled the chances ot victory. Tile conference did not arrive at a decision, and -adjourned until 10 o'clock to-day. Mr Lloyd-George met the owners at noon.