THE COAL TROUBLE.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 July 1919, Page 3

THE COAL TROUBLE.

SETTLEMENT IN ENGLAND

between miners and state

(By Electric Telegraph—Copyngut.)

LONDON, July 26. T+ officially announced that the coni dispute os'lo pay for X accept the principle of the Government’s for and presented estimates as to ,iou e formula will work out m different dis-

The conference adjourned to a o|V the Government to check ie e& niates. rriipqp were accepted. A statemnt issue by the P* o ™ l " to the effect that the con relation with the miners resuited an agreement. The basis was the > Government’s formula. G _ ’ In order to carry out th % a ™L ments, 47 minutes has been fixed the definite average reduction m working time in consequence of the m troductfon of the seven-hour day principle.

URGE A™-—. T,ho Miner’s Federation announces that the new agreement secures a U 3 ner cent increase where' there is one hour’s .cdtaion in tta day and a proportionate mcreas where there is a lesser reduction. The Executive, urges all distnc s o carry ut the decision. It appeals ll os'! miners now idle through other disputes to resume work. ) SEVEN-HOUR HAY IN WALES, j LONDON, July 26. The change from eight to seven hours a day in the Welsh pits has, for tbe tat week, somo.vtat retted *» The nast week saw the mines “rfc tat time worked tion of seven-hour day, and foi *1 whole of the Welsh fields the reduction was 994,600 tons. ] 1 :

, flooded PITS. LONDON. July 20. As the result of their flooding, sonic of the old Yorkshire pits will not be. ' "iLTThem not to old will be P»»P ed dry. They will, however, be waterlogged for sonic months.

COAL EXPORT. (Received This Day at 8 a.m.) LONDON, July 26. The Prohibition on coal export from Cardiff is cancelled; also the two hundred weight limit for deliveries to householders.

• CAUSE OF CRISIS. (Received This Day at 8 a.m.) ' LONDON July 22. The foP.awing 'is the cause of the Yorkshire crisis. The Sankey Commission calculated the reduced hours would increase the output ten per cent Government thereupon decided to add ten per cent to the piece rates m order +o maintain the miners earnings, but the miners claimed that as some miners were already working seven hours a day the allowance should be more than ten par went. The Coal Controller and Miners Federation were discussing the point when the Yorkshire miners struck for fourteen per cent, though the Controller had meantime fixed the increase at twelve and a half per cent If the men’s demand were conceded >t would necessitate making an increase n the price above six shillings.

PIECE RATE SETTLEMENT

(Received This Day at 8 a.m.) LONDON, July 26. Derbyshire miners Council have accepted the piece rate settlement.

THE STRIKE FINANCE. (Received This Day at 8 a.m.) LONDON, July 27

It is estimated that the coal miners have lost £1,670,000 sterling in wages. '£70,000 sterling in strike pay was distributed on Saturday. Yorkshire Miners’ Association have not yet considered the Government’s offer. They probably meet to-day. Lancashire, Cheshire Miners Federation are resuming work.

RAILWAY LEADER’S VIEW. (Received this day at 8.15 a.m.) LONDON, July 27

Mr Thomas, the Railwaymen’s leader has returned from America. He told interviewers “We are certain to lose our commercial supremacy to America, unless we drastically change our political methods. We must first restore confidence to the working classes, induce them to rely on the ballot box and refrain from strikes,”

NECESSITY FOR COAL. (Received this dav at 9.25 a.m.) LONDON, July 26. Robort's speaking at Darfeld said owing to adverse trade exchange with America, housewives pay nearly threepence per pound extra for bacon. Unless the coal "output was greatly increased, there was no hope of lower prices. Roberts added—“We exchange coal and share food.” The Board of Trade points out that it is no part of Government’s policy to discourage competition with the world in the German market. It is desirable that British traders mako every effort to secure a proper footing in Central Europo.

SHORT OF COAL._ (Received this day at 12.25 p.m) ROME, July 27. Dovitto, Minister of Transport admitted in the Chamber a grave situation in Italy, owing to the lack of coal. Other speakers expressed indignation nt the ungrateful attitude of tho Allies towards Italy.