BRITISH COAL CRISIS

Hokitika Guardian, 13 July 1925, Page 2

BRITISH COAL CRISIS

MR COOK'S BOAST.

[Australia A N.Z. Cable Association.]

(Received this day at 8 a.in.) LONDON, July ill

Mi- Cook, the Miners’ Secretary, amid cheers look olf his coat when addressing a mooting at Sutherland, lie said his ’ contention was that so

long as a penn'y was going in mining royalties they were not budging from their demands. If a struggle occurred it was an international struggle. “ Don't let u- destroy pits,” said Mr Cook, "they limv he out's before long.”

EFFORTS FAIL. LONDON, July 11. 111, Him. AY. C. Bridgman lias fail--1 in his ell'ort.- to bring the coal own-

ers ami miners to together again. Th.- miners told him that they were not pri l !Hired to collier unless the ownors withdraw their notice for the termination of the National Agreement, and also for their new wage proposals.

Mr Bridgeman Sounded the owners, wlm declined-to withdraw their notices. They said they were agreeable to resum negotiations at the point where tl'“v felt oil'.

The Miners’ Federation finally imitated that, as their reasonable re-iUo-T was refused tliev would not

agree to a conference. It F 'rote-rally believed that ilie next step will lie a national enquiry into tha condition of the coal industry.

The Executive of the Miners’ Federation conferred for an hour with Mr Bridgemau, Sir W. Steel-.Maitland and .Mr Lane Fox, to whom, it is understood. they made it quite clear that it is absolutely impossible for the miners’ representatives to meet the

•on! owners’ present, proposals. The “Daily Herald” states that after the conference with .Mr W. C. Bridgeiuati. the Miners’ Executive laid the men’s case before the General Council of the Trades Union Congress, which later lengthily deliberated oil the matter during which the Secretary of the Minister of Alines was called.' The “ Daily Herald ” understands that the Council resolved to appeal to the whole movement to support the miners.