THE COAL TROUBLE

Hokitika Guardian, 23 September 1926, Page 2

THE COAL TROUBLE

[Australian ifc N.Z. Cable Association.} COAL * CONFERENCE. LONDON, Sept. 21. Tho Miners’ Federation Executive has considered the Government’s proposals and lias replied to Mr Baldwin, rejecting his proposal for distinct settlements. Tho Executive has issued a statement to the effect that tho Government's policy has created a grave situation, and is likely to prolong the dispute. Tho acceptance of such policy would involve tiie miners in an entire surrender of their national agreements, which both the lloyal Commission and Mr Churchill on September Bth has accepted as essential. The Federation declared that the suggestion that district negotiations would accelerate a settlement was without foundation. The Federation (Executive does not desire to enter into useless recriminations, but says that if tho stoppage is now prolonged by any attempt to enforce district agreements, the responsibility will be on the Government. Tho Executive repeats that it is prepared to negotiate n national agreement aiming at a reduction of tho costs of production, but it refuses to be coerced into an acceptance of tho unjust terms dictated. Such a settlement would bo an insincere and a short-lived one. The miners, it says, are entitled to insist on protection by their National Organisation, which experience has shown is alone able to protect them. NEW NEGOTIATIONS. LONDON, Sept, 22. Apparently the Government and the miners are at last determinedly seeking a way out of the coal deadlock. The Miners’ Federation’s letter to' Ml* Baldwin yesterday wins accompanied by a message indicating the Federation Executive’s readiness to meet the Government. The Federation’s letter is admitted to ho a closely-reasoned document, and one striking a contrast to the usual communication emanating from the same source. j This was, says tho “Daily Telegraph,” drafted by the Oxford economist, Mr R. H. Tawney, who presented tho minors’ ease recently before the Coal Commission. The letter has received the prompt attention of the whole Executive who went to Downing Street at nine o’clock at night. Mr Baldwin was accompanied by Mr Churchill, Sir A. Steel Maitland (Labour Minister) and Rt. Hon. Qeo. Lane Fox (Secretary for tlio Mines). , The Ministers preferred to see only] four of tho Federation officials, Messrs Smith. Cook, Richards, and Richardson, with whom they conferred until one o’clock in the morning. A'n official communique has been issued, which says.—The discussions between the Government and the miners will bo resumed to-day. Owing to the late hour of the breakup of last night’s meeting, little information is available as to what transpired. The “Daily Express,” however, says:—Tho conversations brought the millers to a better temper for ‘a settlement than at any time since tho stoppage. On the other hand the “Daily Heiald” savs: “The Government showed more signs than previously of being (lisnosed to a reasonable settlement,” The “Daily Herald” understands Mr Baldwin discussed a. resumption on the basis of a, twenty per cent minimum percentage as against that of 33 1-3 per cent,, coupled with a firm undertaking to carry out the Coal Cdmnussion’s rocommeiutpttons and a guarantee of arbitration on the points of difference, the arbitrators being the Commissioners. COAL CONFERENCE. 4 LONDON, September 22. Mr Baldwin’s conference with the millers lasted for four hours and was considered hopeful. They are resuming to-day.