COAL CRISIS

Hokitika Guardian, 10 June 1926, Page 2

COAL CRISIS

A CONFERENCE FAILS. (Australia & N.Z. Cable Association.] LONDON, J lino P, There was a lengthy meeting to-day of the coal owners’ representative and tlio Miners’ Federation officials. Tim meeting proved .abortive. •

The mineowners stated after the meeting, that the other side had emphasised that it was not disposed to shift from the position hitherto adopted. The owners said they regretfully concluded that there was no immediate hope. of carrying the matter further.

Air A. Cook (Aimers’ Secretary) on behalf of the miners, stated that it appeared that there was not the slightest possibility of a further conlerence with tlio owners at present, and the dispute still continued. The owners, said Air Cook, had l ot receded in the slightest from their demands for longer: hours and for lower wages.

An independent source states that the atmosphere of the conference was far from conducive to peace. Tbe miners were in a challenging and impatient attitude, and they absolutely refused to consider any departure from their present hours. They would not cnteimiu a return to an eight-hour-day under any circumstances, or any reduction of their wages. Tlio miners expressed the opinion that a wage reduction was unnecessary if tbe reorganisation of the industry were carried out. LONDON. June •). The “Westminster Gazette” states; The Coal Conference lias worsened the situation. Angry recriminations terminated in an atmosphere of fiery antagonism in which the miners hurled insults at the coal owners, declaring that they had falsified the facts land the figures relating to the industry, and its economic ability to pay the present wages. APPEAL FOR FUNDS. AYELLINGTOX, Juno 9 The National Committee of Labour has received the following relative to the mining crisis:—“Can you get help for British miners at once? Aloney urgently required. (Signed), I.ansbury, ALP., Cook (Secretary .Miners’ Federation of Britain), Helen Crawford ”