BRITISH LABOUR CRISIS.

Hokitika Guardian, 30 April 1921, Page 3

BRITISH LABOUR CRISIS.

CABLE NEWS,

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION.

BY TFLEGRAPII —TRESS ASSN., COPYRIGHT. AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. GOVERNMENT OFFER REFUSED. MANY DELEGATES DEJECTED LONDON, April 28. Mr Hodges conveyed the Government’s final offer tb the Miners’ Executive, at the Board of Trade this afternoon. He said in order that the reduction of wages in May should not he more than three shillings, and in Juno 3s 6d, the Government had offered to grant ten millions, whereof the remainder would he divided between July and August, two thirds being used to stabilise wages during July. Sir R. Horne emphasised that Government were only making proposals in the belief that a durable settlement was being made, which would last lor 1921, and thereafter he terminable at three months notice.

Mr Hodges replied that the proposed reduction brings us a considerable distance below subsistence wages. Government were trying to soften the blow for us. We want a long period of peace and prosperity. We do not want constantly recurring strikes. We know if our men are to enjoy good conditions in life they must have peace. Mr Hodges then indicated that before their final reply, the Executive would submit the matter to the Miners Federation Conference. After an hour and a half’s discussion the Conference resolved to reject the Government’s proposals, as they do not concede the fundamental principle for which we stand. Accordingly the Conference terminates. The delegates will report to the men upon the present Government offer. After the Conference many delegates appeared very disappointed and said tho majority in favour of rejecting the Government’s terms was not large, but sufficient for the purpose.

MINERS’ DECISION. - LONDON, April 28. The miners by an overwhelming majority, rejected the Government’s offer for a subsidy of £IO,OOO spread over four months, which would mean that miners’ wages would be reduced not more than 3/- per shift during May and 3 6 in June. Some critics of the Government suggest that the offer of a larger Government subsidy than ten millions for so many months might have met difficulty. THE MAIN POINT. | A NATIONAL WAGE. POOL. ; LONDON, April 28. | The .Miners Conference resolution in 1 favour of a national wage scale makes it plain that the stumbling Hock to a settlement is still the owners’ refusal to concede the miners’ claim to,a national wage pool. Several small districts pleaded their members were entitled to have a voice in settling whether the Government offer would be adequate. The delegates from Scotland, Lancashire, Yorkshire, and South Wales replied that the delegates have given a mandate for a national settlement, and from that they must not depart. The miners' delegates will now re- ' port to their lodges, which will pass j 'resolutions affirming or otherwise the Federation Conference’s action. One member of the Executive who is going north said : "AYo will ho invited to return to London m ten days, or a fortnight, when the public begins to understand that no coal is being produced.” i SHORTAGE OF COAL.

LONDON, April 28. ' The acuteness of the coal shortage is emphasised by an incident on the Festiniag railway. The driver, owing to the pool guality of the coal, was unable to keep up steam. The passengers then detrained and gathered sticks and these enabled the train to proceed.

SOME OWNERS' COMPROMISING. LONDON, April 29. With a view to overcoming the coal deadlock some of the coal owners intend to open negotiations with JUstriet UniiDis which arc not expected to approve the rejection of the Government’s terms. It is believed possible to aratige for the resumption of work in those districts where the industry is

profitable owing to a large output and wages being comparatively high.