COAL TROUBLE.

Hokitika Guardian, 16 July 1926, Page 3

COAL TROUBLE.

[Australian & N.Z. Cable Association.! BISHOPS MEET MINERS’ LEADERS. LONDON, July 14. The Bishops of Lichfield, AViiiehestor, Manchester, and other church Ladv crs, with the approval of the Archbishop of Canterbury, to-day conferred with tlio miners’ leaders. Mr Cook (Secretary), and Mr Smith (President) at Westminster, to discuss the possibility of a just coal settlement, "he Free Churches wero also represented at the conference, which adjourned.

MINERS’ MAIN POINT. (Received this day at 12.2 d p.m.) _ LONDON, July Id. At the conference seven Bishops and Free Church leaders met the miners’ The Conference lasted two and a half hours. Before it adjourned, so tho “Daily Express” states, a question disclosed that tlio miners would rather- negotiate on tho basis of a wanes reduction, with an assurance that tho Coal Commission’s report will he completely carried out, titan consider an eight hours day.

IMPORTANT DEV EL OP M ENT. LONDON, July 14. 3*: 'There is an important development in tho coal situation. The Trades Union Congress General Council has iny'vited the Miners’ Executive to meet it to-morrow. Thero is little doubt that the miners will accept. This conference will he tho first between tho miners and the, T.U.C. since tho calling off of the general strike. A POSSIBLE WAY OUT. (Received this day at 12.25 p.m.) LONDON, July 1-5.

The Minors Executive to-day decided i to meet tlio T.U.C. to discuss ways and ' means of ending the struggle. It appears at a meeting of the miners executive with Bishops and Free Churcn lleaders yesterday, tho Bishops sub- ' mitted a formula that work bo resumed on the basis of status quo for four months, tho Government to make up • tho difference between old rates and /economic wages. Meanwhile negotiations -are to take place with a view to a settlement of wages and hours, and if tho disagreement persists at tho end of four months, the points in dispute he referred to an arbitrator. The Bishops also interviewed the Government.

THE MINERS OBSTINATE, i (Received this day at 12.25 p.m.) ..y LONDON, July 15. ’ The “Daily Express” states a meeting between the Trades Union Council and the miners’ executive to-day "idened the breach’ between tile miners’ officials and certain members of the Trades Union Council, who consider 'the miners’ leaders were blundering tidly, and resent their “No Compromise” attitude. There was hitter reeriminaton between the leaders of the Railway Unions, who lost 21 millions owing to the general strike. After 21 hours’ deliberation the miners delegates left in an obstinate, sul- ■ lon mood. ' LONDON, July 15. v Beyond tho announcement of tho delegates that there has been developments, nothing was officially divulged in regard to the meeting, though it N understood straight speaking on both sides bleared the air, while the Trades ,V Union Council promised the miners full support.