THE COAL CRISIS

Hokitika Guardian, 29 April 1926, Page 2

THE COAL CRISIS

[Australian & N.Z. Cable Association.] COAL CONFERENCE. LONDON, April 27. The coal owners and miners conferred for an hour under Mr Baldwin’s chairmanship, and will continue tho discussion to-morrow. MINERS AND OWNERS. HOME COAL CRISIS. LONDON, April 28. With the Government’s coal subsidy ending on Friday, and with notices posted at the collieries throughout tho country that.the men would be employed thereafter only on the owners’ new terms, which the men absolutely refuse to accept, there was the greatest relief last night in the news that Mr Baldwin had at last brought the parties together. The “Daily Express” says: “All tho Prime Minister’s efforts have been directed towards persuading the owners to concede a national agreement, with a national instead of a district minimum wage, this to be conditional on the miners being willing to discuss reduced wages or longer hours. Finally the owners agreed to an “ open conference.”

The “Daily Express,' ’the "Daily Herald ” and other papers believe that the notices, duo to expire on Friday night, will be suspended in order that tlie conversations may continue. The “Daily Herald ” says: "A start bus already been made in estimating the financial benefits likely to accrue from the reconstruction of the proposals of the Coal Commission, with a view to deciding the nature of the problem to bo faced until those benefits are felt. It would bo possible, with such estimates, to assess the wage-yielding capacity of the coal industry as the proposals are developed.”

U is stated elsewhere that the miners have asked -'Jr Baldwin to indicate how much would the Government temporary assistance contribute to an easement of wage reductions. The Premier said lie declined to say, until there were signs of a fair chance of a .settlement. All the parties expec-f that to-day’s conferences will indicate whether the imminent crisis is avertable or otherwise. LONDON, April 28. After several days of intensive conferences, wherein the Premier has been most active, the mine-owners intimated that they are willing to participate in a tripartite meeting, and that they would not impose any limitation at that meeting as regards the scope of the discussion. Thereafter meetings of the parties were held. The House of Commons has adjourned until to-morrow. SYDNEY. April 29. The coal conference continued to-day in camera without reaching a finality and was further adjourned.