COAL CRISIS

Hokitika Guardian, 29 March 1920, Page 1

COAL CRISIS

(By Electric Telegraph—Co upright.)

LONDON,-March 24

There is now- a possibility of a big national strike of the coal miners, ard of serious trouble with the railway-

men. Mr Lloyd George lias addressed a letter to the Executive Committee i f the Miners’ Federation stating he does not desire to meet them again. This letter is interpreted to mein that negotiations between the parties have been broken off. No fewer tan 162 delegates attend ’d a Miners’ Conference, which was a tvivate one. Mr Herbert Smith presided. He complained of the tenor of Mr Lloyd George’s recent speech against Labour. Mr Smith, referring to Mr Lloyd George’s accusation that the miners’ proposals re payment was syndicalism of the worst type, said: “The miners’ demand is a perfectly legi -i----mate one, and is made by a group of workers whose intentions are fair and 1 above board as those of any group of people in the land-, whether political or industrial.” The miners’ representaties from South Wales emphasised that their Union members would accept nothing less than the full amount asked. Indeed they were by no means satisfied with 3s a ton. After the Conference the delegates said the South Wales Miners’ even have threatened to strike independently if the Miners’ Federation accepts less than 3s a day increase. The South Wales miners consider theirs as the chief exporting coalfield. It is thus carrying the rest of the industry on its back. Tlie delegates state that all exports of coal from the United Kingdom are c-easing. The coal brought to the pitheads is being directed to the industrial centres. The Government says it is making every preparation to carry on industries in the event of a strike. The Government says its twenty per cent offer is equal to Is lid foi - adults and lid for hoys.

BLOCKAGE OF MINE AREA'S

LONDON, March 25

The “Daily Herald” asserts that it learns from unimpeachable authority that the Gocrnmcnt lias completed plans for a blockade of the mining areas with cordons of selected troops, thus preventing the passage of uersons and commodities in the event of the miners going on strike. WHAT LLOYD GEORGE SAYS. LONDON, March 25 Mr Lloyd George has assured the miners that the “Daily Herald” report regarding military preparations is a misclicvious invention. LONDON, March 25 It transpires that Mr Lloyd George did not actually refuse to meet the

miners. He said he was willing to keep the door for negotiations open, but- used such phrases as “Official announcement,” and “The Government has no further communiction to make.” These have greatly angered the miners’ delegates. It is considered in some circles that the miners may he appeased by an explanation of this. The general view, however, is that the position has reached a deadlock, since the Government’s statement means that the Government will make no further offer

The newspapers, with practical unanimity, regard a. strike as inevitable, though the preliminary measures may delay a cessation of work until the end of next month. BRITISH RATTAYAYMEN. LONDON, March 27

Two- thousand of the railwayman of the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway Coy. are striking. This is owing to the suspension of a driver. The latter refused to relieve another driver after he had himself done a full day’s work.

Mr Thomas (Bailwnymen’s Leader) says the Union’s -Executive will support this strike.

Then there are the underground railwayman who threaten to suspend the Easter Holidays traffic, unless th>Railway Fares Bill immediately passes the House of Commons, authorising an increase in fares, which will enable them to receive their increase in wages on a sliding scale, which ncrease the rest of the rniiwaymen are already receiving. Mr Thomas, A.S.RJS. Secretary, in the House of Commons, voiced the Railwaymen’s decision. Mr Bonar Law then indicated that if the members of the House of Com mous were willing to curtail the di - cussion on the Consolidated Money Bill, time could be found for the railway fares measure. The -Lancashire Secretaries of the National Union of Railwaymen announce that they have received telegrams to hold themselves in readiness to call a general strike at a moment’s notice. A deputation of the National Union of Rail way men has gone to Manchester to interview the employees in connection with the Lancashire and Yorkshire strike. Tlie London underground railway situation is more hopeful.

COAL OWNERS STATEMENT. LONDON, March 2G

The Coal Association has issued a statement declaring the Coal Controller acted generously towards the miners in off r.ng a twenty per cent, increase, as that advance would place the miners in a more favourable position than workers in other industries. The statement points out that since some coal has been produced at a. loss for a long time, there is no alternative between a. rise in tho price of coal all round o ranotlicr subsidy to them (the owners) both of which meant the consumer pays them.