THE GOAL STRIKE.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 447, 13 March 1912, Page 5

THE GOAL STRIKE.

ANOTHER CONFERENCE. MEMORIAL TO GOVERNMENT. By Tele;r;\pll. Pre?? Asseci;Uion.-- Copyright Received March 12. 10.') p.m. London, Tuesday. It is estimated that 203,700 surface workers, making the total 1,41HL860, persons are affected by the strike. South Wales owners, while unabating their opposition to a minimum age, agreed to be represented at a conference in which it, is expected the executive of the Miners' Federation will meet the coal owners today

Mr Stephen Walsh, M.P., in a speech at Wingan, condemned the pamphlet cabled on February 27th. He said every genuine Trades Unionist was willing to do a fair day's work for a fair day's pay. The men wen? now being advised to shirk and make working the mines unprofitable. That was a foul and dishonourable policy. The Lancashire and Cheshire Miners' Federation paid £30,000 during the first week strike benefits. Many firms, particularly the. engineering trade in Lancasiiire, are using the municipal electricity in order to keep machinery going. Mr Markham. M.F., at, Mansfield, advised the men to stand firm for the minimum wage, which only cost fourpence to fourpence halfpenny per ton. Weish and Scotch owners must be forced to give the minimum by Act of Parliament.

One hundred and fifty-seven Unionists; seventy-two Liberals, and ten Nationalists, signed a memorial to the Premier asking for a Royal Commission to enquire into the possibilities of co-partnership. The Labour party refused to sign, fearing copartnership would undermine the Trades Unions.

COMMENTS ON CONFERENCE. Received March 13, 0.30 a.m. London, Tuesday. Several newspapers comment on the miners' exclusion of the principle of a minimum wage from the discussion as the conference and point out that the Premier and sixty-five per cent, of the owners have already accepted it.

OWNERS AND MINERS CONFER

The coal owners' and miners' executives conferred with the Premier and Mr Buxton and Sir W. Askwith. The Welsh owners decline to cancel the 1900 agreement unless the Government guarantee the next onewill be strictlv observed.