THE BRITISH LABOUR CRISIS.

Hokitika Guardian, 6 September 1920, Page 2

THE BRITISH LABOUR CRISIS.

(By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.! STRIKE PQSITION. LONDON, Sept. 3. Horne, the Labour Minister, states

that lie desjres to leave the door open for any fpesli proposals by the miners. So far, he says, there hqs been no indication of such proposals. Nothing has been, op can be, gained by conferring with the miners’ leaders, until Buph proposals are put forward,- I shgll, however, continue to hope a strike will bo averted. No question of dignity will be allowed to stand in the way of beginning negotiations.

The newspapers are publishing from the British Miners’ Federation an official statement.of the miners’ case. The miners declare they are not claiming all that they believe they are entitled to, hut only a minimum wage to enable them to meet the high cost of living. The miners also insist that the price of domestic coal shall be reduced by 14s 2d a ton, thereby benefiting each poor family by about 90s yearly. The “Daily Chronicle” states that the Miners’ Union yesterday sought for a loan in London against certain giltedged securities its members hold, but the banks refused any money being anx ious not to provide them . wjtli any sinews of war. The miners are pot, it says, desirous of selling their stocks, owing to the depreciation that would result. “ They desire only a ioan. THE COALTRQUBLES, (Received This Day qt 8 q.m.) LONJ)ON, Sept, 5.

A suggestion that Government and miners should agree to a public enquiry concerning an increased output and relation of wages thereto is gaining qdher? ents among labour leaders. Portsmouth women’s national political league are strenuously striving to avert a strike, and are organising a conference of miners and transporters wives in London with a view to proposing that the wives, equally with the husbands, participate in the strike ballot. Many similar conferences are being arranged in the provinces. ,