THE COAL CRISIS

Hokitika Guardian, 26 April 1926, Page 3

THE COAL CRISIS

[Australian & N.Z. Cable Association.] NEGOTIATIONS STAND STILL. LONDON, April 23. Practically no progress was made at this morning’s conference between tbc coal owners and the miners, over which Mr Baldwin presided. The owners on leaving the conference said they were returning to their districts forthwith. Each side adopted the Premier’s suggestion and appointed a small committee to carry on negotiations, with which Mr Baldwin will keep in touch. CONFERENCE WITH MR BALDWIN LONDON. April 23. Mr Baldwin, conferring with (lie coal owners and the miners, emphasised that they must bear in mind that he was representing neither side, but the country, which was much more important than either. They must also remember that they would have eventually to negotiate, which would be much more difficult after a pageHaving heard their respective statements, the Premier said: “ It is fpiite plain that the owners and the miners will tie themselves into a pretty tight knot. My job is to get. the knot untied, or cut it. It is perfectly impossible to reach a settlement in an assembly of this kind. Therefore, I suggest that, within two hours, each side appoint sub - committees, keeping themselves at my dispo.qil. We must not forget that we are working with a time limit.” MINERS’ MOVES. LONDON, April 23. The Miners’ Federation have called a special delegate conference at Tjoiidon fior the. 28th of April, to decide the miners’ policy. The Miners’ Federation Executive conferred for three hours this afternoon with the Industrial Committee of the Trade Union Congress, and fully reported all the events resulting from the Premier’s intervention.

The. meeting also decided to call a conference of the Executives of all unions affiliated with the Trade Union Congress, at London, on the 2f)th of April, in order that the whole trade union movement may be fully informed of tbo position.