COAL TROUBLE.

Hokitika Guardian, 13 August 1926, Page 2

COAL TROUBLE.

—* ~ [Australian & N.2L Cable Association.] FIRES START IN THE PITS. LONDON, Aug. 12. Tho colliery owners in the South Yorkshire field are experiencing serious trouble through the overheating of the pits, owing to the small number of safety men permitted to work. F,ires have broken out in many pits. Tlie situation i.s so serious in the Bently Colliery, near Doncaster, that six hundred extra safety men were permitted to work. The miners have declined to permit any extra safety men to work in tlie Broadworth Colliery, where there is excessive heating, although the miners’ leaders assented. GOVERNMENT MOVE. LONDON. Aug. 12. Tho “Daily Herald” (Labour) has an exclusive report to the effect that it understands that the Government intends to invite the coai miners and owners to a meeting next week to consider the possibility of opening negotiations.

The “Herald’ adds: “The Government is beginning to realise that, if tho miners arc, defeated by hunger, such a settlement would he bought at the price of the permanent ruin of British industry.”

The delegates to the miners’ conference, to he opened on Monday, will remain in. session for purposes of consultation if a Government invitation is received by them.

HOPES OF COMPROMISE. , LONDON, Aug. 12.

Mr Baldwin returns to London today from the country. He will learn the latest developments in the coal situation, but there is no government action expected until the miners’ representatives are in a position to make a move. Their hands presently will he more strictly tied than ever, but much is hoped from the delegate conference to lie held in London on Monday.

It is suggested that the Miners’ Federation Executive will ask for a. free hand to negotiate wages as long as the seven-hour day is maintained with a national agreement and a. national minimum wage. Mr Cook (Secretary) admits that the whole position will be reviewed. Evidence ,is accumulating that tlie chief motive for the rejection of the churches’ proposals by the miners was that the miners want a more direct settlement, covering an immediate return to work, with something definite to show for their fifteen weeks’ struggle.