BRITISH COAL CRISIS

Hokitika Guardian, 17 July 1925, Page 2

BRITISH COAL CRISIS

[Australia & N.Z. Cable Association.]

PRESS COMMENT. LONDON. July 13

The “ Daily Telegraph ” points out that though the grave decision ol the .Miners’ Conference militates against an earlv settlement, it should be noticed that the men no longer insist, as the preliminary to negotiations, upon the withdrawal of the owners' notices to terminate the old National Agreement. They only ask for the withdrawal of the coal owners’ w age proposals. Ihe

"Daily Telegraph adds: " this may be the first stop towards bringing the parties together. The miners' leaders now expect the Government to make the next move. It is stated in the lobby of the House of Commons that a movement in favour of a district settlement is developing in Yorkshire anil in other districts that are against a strike. Throe hundred thousand miners are working half time, so a strike is most inopportune. The coal owners say that, in any circumstance 5 , they will not withdraw their notices as a withdrawal of the notices will mean another month's notice to end the National Agreement, the minors’ leaders wishing to postpone the crisis until colder weather. Hundreds of pits are only keeping open in the hope oi a new agreement each month. LONDON, July 13.

The " Daily Express," in a strong editorial says:—"The coal minermade a mistake in refusing to participate in the Court of Knquiry. "The Express ” proceeds: "The miners have in reality a remarkably good ease against the coal owners' proposals, and their cause, therefore, can only gain hv argument and publicity. It must l>e obvious that tlie owners claims do not err on the side ol moderation. They are bound to give the first proois ol moderation, since it is they who are trying to effect a change, whereas the men are defending their status.