THE COAL CRISIS

Hokitika Guardian, 16 April 1926, Page 2

THE COAL CRISIS

[Australian & N.Z. Cable Association.] LONDON, April 14. A series' of meetings lias lasted all day long on the cifal crisis. These have apparently done little, to advance a settlement of the crisis. The most important meetings have been those of the Miners’ Executive, and the Trade Union Congress Industri;# Committee. At tlie latter meeting, the Committee protested against the action of the coal owners in abandoning the national negotiations. The Congress Committee reiterated the determination to Support the miners in their resistance to tlie degradation «>.' their standard of living. j I alter, the owners held a conference. Sir Arthur Stcd-Maitland (Minister of Labour) announced the intention to post notices terminating tlie present agreement on April 30th. In the meantime, he offered to confer with the miners’ District Associations regarding a local regulation of wages, A deputation of the Trades Union Congress to-night conferred with the Prime Minister, Air Baldwin, fqr an hour. Neither side would afterwards issue any statement. LONDON, April 15. The leaders of the miners, Mr Smith (President), and Air Cook (Secretary), of the vAlincrs’ Federation, were due tleave for Brussels to-night to attend tin international miners’ conference. They postponed their departure in consequence ol Mr Baldwin intimating his desire lo communicate with them tomorrow, It is understood that the members of the Trade Union Congress, including Mr J. Thomas, told the Prime Minister that the coal owners were not observing the spirt of the Coal Commission’s recommendations, by insisting on district negotiations prior to a national settlement.