BRITISH COAL CRISIS

Hokitika Guardian, 31 July 1925, Page 3

BRITISH COAL CRISIS

[Australia & N.Z. Cable Association.]

MINERS USE FORCE. (Received this day at 11.23 a.m.) LONDON, July TO. Gun shots and the discharge of explosives on Tuesday night in the vicinity of the colliery at Anunaford where a strike of twenty thousand Welsh anthraxite miners originated, seared the officials protecting the colliery. The disturbances were renewed early this morning. Strikers ,‘raided eight collieries successively and compelled the officials, except the manager and under-manager, to clear out. The police arrived and charged and dispersed the strikers, who Were singing the Red Flag. The local situation is regarded ill Ministerial circles this afternoon as very grave but not hopeless. Mr Baldwin is doing his best to make the

parties confer, impressing on them that the strike must be averted. Mr Baldwin conferred firstly with the coal owners, and secondly with the miners, alter which representatives of both made statements to llie press, indicating- that neither side had made concession.

The miners’ representatives after seeing Mr Baldwin, conferred with a special committee nf the Trade Union Congress. Afterwards the conference resumed.

GOAL TROUBLE ARANGEMENT. (Received this day at 11.23 a.m.) LONDON. July TO. The coal owntrs have agreed to meet this morning to consider Mr Baldwin’s offer. Mr Baldwin announced that the Government would assist the industry pending a new inquiry.

COAL HANDLING STOPPED. LONDON. JuK- TO

The Special Committee ol the Trade Union Congress, and the llailu aymen’s and Transporters’ Unions Executives have ordered all handling of coal is to tense at mid-night on 31st .Inly. All coal will then he railed and placed in the nearest siding from which it may, exclusively, he used for coaling engines. but not passed to other depots. No imports may he handled.

A meeting of the Executive ol all Trade Unions at Westminster unanimously resolved whole-heartedly to assist the miners, including financial help ill the form of a levy oil each district. MR BALDWIN’S CHALLENGE. WAGES MUST RE REDUCED. LONDON, July TO. The “ Daily Herald ” declares the reason for Mr Baldwin’s iailure to induce the coal owners to suspend the lock-out notices and withdraw their lower wages proposal, has revealed an illuminating passage ol bis talk with the miners’ representatives on Thursday morning. fn a written statement Mr Baldwin appealed to the miners "in make some contribution towards meeting the difficult situation confronting the imlus(r.v.” The following .mi ver.-ntii m - ensiled ; The miners; •‘But your appeal means a reduction in wage:.." Mr Baldwin ; " Yes ; all workers in tin’s country have got to lake a reduction ill wages.” A delegate; “ What do you wan.” Mr Baldwin ; "I mean that all workers in the country have got to lake a, reduction in wages to help nut the industry on its feet The " I lernlii " adds: “Thus, in a Hash, Mr Baldwin revealed Limsell. lie threw down the challenge to the whole Labour movement.. The paper eoiieludes ; “ If a struggle comes, it will be between the coal owners hacked hy the Government against a united Labour movement." The “Daily Telegraph" stales the French war debt negotiations broke down to-day, the British Treasury regarding the French offer in inadequate. The French otter represented an annual payment of one per cent on France's war debt ol -six hundred millinns to Britain, whereas Britain funded her debt to America on the basis Ilf three and a quarter per cent. France is still labouring under the delusion that Britain does not need money, but is merely asking, on political grounds. Franco i-‘ now enjoying a favourable trade balance, which should enable her to make a fair offer and efleet the npi*(*>wiirv trail*!ora.