COAL NEGOTIATIONS

Hokitika Guardian, 28 May 1926, Page 2

COAL NEGOTIATIONS

[Australian & N.Z. Cable Association.] AIR LLOYD GEORGE EXPLAINS. LONDON, May 26. In a speech at Llandudno, Air Lloyd George blamed the Government for muddling and lack of thought, especially as regards the coal situation during the past ten months; also in connection with the restoration of the gold standard by which the price of exported coal was reduced. He unreservedly condemned the general strike, hut supported the Government’s measures to preserve order and carry on national services. “At the same time,” ho added, “I am unable to work myself up to a pitch of righteous anger against tho men who, however mistakenly or wrongly, risked their livelihood to help their comrades in tlieir desperate plight.” He favoured getting back to tho status quo and strongly favoured the statesmanlike proposal contained in the Archbishop of Canterbury’s appeal. He therefore advocated conciliation and supported Sir H. Samuel s report. He urged the Government to legislate over the heads of the miners and mine owners and thus shorten the conflict.

LLOYD GEORGE CONTROVERSY LONDON, Alay 26.

Mr Lloyd George hurried to London after his Llandudno, speech, to consult his supporters, as he intends to fight for the retention of the leadership of the Liberals in the Commons. His decision not to refer to the Oxford letter at Llandudno was a surprise. He manifestly intends to demand a decision of the Liberal Party. It seems that the Liberal headquarters issued the Oxford letter to tho press before Lloyd George’s second letter was received. Lloyd George was notified accordingly, and immediately sent his letter to the newspapers. . Oxford’s first sight of the reply was in the morning papers. Mr Lloyd George’s characteristic flashes included a description of the British Gazette as “a first class indiscretion, clothed in the tawdry garb of third rate journalism.” He expressed the opinion that it ought to euro the workers of any lingering taste for experiment in the State’s Socialism. Lloyd George also disparaged socialistic broadcasting when the very currents of air were nationalised by the Government.

Lloyd George accused the Government of breaking off the negotiations purely because there had been one of the weekly troubles with printers in a London newspaper office. . He scarcely alluded to tho Liberal controversy, and said he was content'to leave the silly accusation made by a section of the Tory press, that his action was unpatriotic during the general strike to his record during the much greater national emergency a few years ago j and declared that no abuse had ever yet turned him from the course which he thought right. He denied responsibility for publicity-giving letters. When lie heard that Oxford’s letter had been given out for publication, ho was reluctantly forced to follow his example.-

, " GOVERNMENT PROPOSAL LONON, May 26. The “Daily Express” features an - announcement that the Government is t considering important proposals' to e end tiie mining. The idea is that the - Government may eliminate both the '.Miners’ Federation and the Mining Association from consideration, and ~ go direct to the individual coal owner . and miner with proposals. The names . of the new negotiators have been sug- ’ Rested, and these would draw up a schedule of fair terms, Which would he submitted to the individual mine owners and workers. A ballot of miners thereon would he taken secretly. The terms would he based on a seven and a half hour working day, with a high minimum percentage wage. The Government is reliably informed that the miners in most districts would welcome a ballot in the question of the extension of hours, and the owners, also, are most anxious not to allow the Government’s offer of three millions to lie withdrawn at the end of the month.