THE COAL TROUBLE

Hokitika Guardian, 2 September 1926, Page 2

THE COAL TROUBLE

[Australian & N.Z. Cable Association.] DEBATE IN COMMONS. LONDON, August 31. The coal debate in the House of Commons was preceded by tbe rejection by 285 votes to 100 of a motion by Mr Ramsay MacDonald in favour of the adjournment of the House till September 7th, instead of November oth as proposed by tbe Government. Mr MacDonald said lie hoped the conditions which the Labour Party would reveal in the course of the debate would enable the Government to get the two sides together. Mr Churchill interjected that tho Government bad no knowledge of any facts justifying Mr MacDonald’s hope.

Mr MacDonald declared that the Government was responsible for tbe present situation. The Cabinet, lie declared. had been the most efficient and loyal sub-committee for the coal owners. It had taken tip every suggestion made by the owners. The Prime Minister’s letter to America tvas unworthy of himself and of his office. Mr MacDonald added that there must be a national agreement between the Mining Owners’ Association and the Miners’ Federation. The one thing required now was for the Government to get tho two sides together, or, if Unit failed, to look for some outside good influence to do so.

Sir A. Steel Maitland (Minister of Labour) declared that the tone of Mr MacDonald’s speech was most regrettable. He emphasised that the Government was ready to act as sflon as one side showed a willingness to make a really substantial proposal. Mr IT. Wrngg (Conservative) suggested the appointment of an independent arbitrator in the person of Sir Herbert Samuel,

Major Headlam (a Conservative) said ilmt it was time that new negotiators were chosen for both sides, to enable them to get together, as they might easily do so, seeing that tlieir differences were not so great. Mr Lloyd George said that the time find come for. the Government again to submit its own proposals, for it was a delusion to anticipate the immediate collapse of the coal stoppage. Mr Churchill said that Che question of hours and wages was no longer insuperable. He saw not the slightest difficulty in reconciling the controversy as between national and district settlements. He still hoped that the Miners’ Delegate Conference would produce some tangible proposal. The Government did not exclude the possibility of making fresh proposals themselves if there was a desire for them by both sides, nr even by only one side; but this was doubtful, us the men at present only said “ Give us a subsidy,” while tbe owners said, “ Leave us alone.”

A noteworthy feature of the debate was that the Opposition listened attentively to Mr Churchill, and even cheered his references in relation to district and national agreements, and his hint that the miners could secure backing for a national agreement if they proved reasonable on the question of hours.

The House adjourned till November Dili, unless convoked earlier to continue the Emergency Regulations. In the Labour lobby, the opinion is more hopeful as the result of Mr Churchill’s speech, especially his reference to the reasonableness of the parties, which they interpret to refer to the owners. Meanwhile the National Federation of Safetymen do not entertain any idea of withdrawing men from the pits. ARE MINERS’ LEADERS DIVIDED? LONDON, September 1.

Evidence accumulates of differences among the miners, and of a serve struggle with the executive, in consequence of which, according to the “Daily Herald,” the Executive is making no recommendation to the Delegates’ Conference to he held in London on Thursday. It is stated that Mr Herbert Smith commands tile majority of the. Executive, and that its “ diehard ” policy men will have to frame proposals themselves or carry on until exhaustion. Mr Uamsuy MacDonald, at a meeting of the Labour mem Vers of the Commons and the miners’ leaders, before yesterday’s debate, pleaded for something constructive to place before the Mouse of Commons, but neither on the wages nor on the hours could ho extract anything, states the “Daily Telegralip’s” Parliamentary correspondent. “The miners were so hopelessly divided that they could only appeal to the Labour Commoners to invite the Government to make propositions for peace, thus Mr MacDonald was helpless.” RUSSIAN CfTNTRIBUTIONS. SOME OPPOSITION SHOWN. BERLIN. September 1. An organisation of Russian Communist workmen opposed to the Soviet regime has sent a letter to the British Trades Congress, protesting against the money sent to the British miners being taken from hungry and ill-paid workers. It alleges that the 'Russian worker gets tfiirty-six roubles a month, from which ten per cent is deducted for various political organisations under the Government’s control.