COAL TROUBLE.

Hokitika Guardian, 24 September 1926, Page 3

COAL TROUBLE.

SETTLEMENT SHATTERED. THE MINERS TERMS. [Australia & N.Z. Cable Association.] LONDON, Sept. 23. Hopes of a coal settlement raised last night, nre shattered. The mi newleaders to-night are pessimistic and left London to visit their districts until Monday. The latest difficulties areduo to the questions of hours, as the miners executive is still unwilling to nmko a definite concession on the point and owners are only prepared to partake in negotiations if the hours are left to.be Adjusted in th P various districts with wages. Ib is estimated there are now one hundred thousand' miners working in , tho various districts. After the miners executive left Downing Street, tho Government were in close touch with representatives of - tho Mining Association who turned down the miners proposals which Mr Cook thus summed up.—The miners executive is prepared to recommend, firstly, that wages not less than those payable in the 1921 agreement as si temporary arrangement for immediate resumption. Secondly, the terms of a national wages agreement shall be referred to an. independent tribunal to be agieed on bv the parties. Secondly, terms of reference to the tribunal shall be consideration of the application to industry of the recommendations of the Royal Commission. Mr Baldwin on leaning of tho seriousness of tho position decided it was useless to recall tho miners .executive to Downing Street and decided the whole Cabinet must be consulted on Friday.