BIG STRIKE ENDING

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12604, 15 November 1926, Page 8

BIG STRIKE ENDING

THE FIGHTING SECTION RESULT OF VOTING GOVERNMENT TERMS DISCUSSED (Receved November 14, 11.50 p.m.) LONDON, November 13. The miners’ delegates early this afternoon discussed the Government’s terms by districts. There were sharp differences of opinion. Some districts wished to continue the fight, while ouers favoured acceptance because nothing better was obtainable. When the full conference resumed South Wales and Yorkshire headed the fighting section. A vote was first taken whether the conference would recommend the districts to accept the terms. This was carried by 432,000 to 352,000, and the conference then voted whether the decision be left to the districts or the miners individually. The proposal for the individual ballot was defeated by 427,000 to 357,000, and the results of the voting are to be returned by November 18th. AS GOOD AS OVER Considerable correspondence has been published regarding negotiations. A letter from the Department of Mines shows that Mr Baldwin agreed to the deletion of the clause relating to victimisation. Mr Cook explains that the miners’ executive thought this was inadeouate. Other, letters relate to Mr Evan Williams’s disclaimer and the Government’s reply. Mr Williams said he made it perfectly clear that he and other owners were appearing purely in a personal capacity in order to give the required information. He opposed the terms because they were impossible for certain districts. Mr Williams also gives a direct denial of the statements attributed to him in the Government communique. The general expectation in the Government circles is that the miners will accept the terms in view of the conference recommendation. The strike therefore may be regarded as good as over. GOVERNMENT ACCEPTS REPONSIBILITY The owners refuse to prophesy what the district owners’ associations will do in that event, and confine themselves to saying it will be a matter for each district to decide if the terms are economically practicable. The Mines Department’s reply to Mr Williams states the Government found that- consultation with the owners and district associations was impracticable and were compelled to consult the. individual owners fully. They appreciate the owners’ declared objections but the Government accepts full responsibility, and adds: “It has been made perfectly clear to the Ministry that the Government’s terms are based on increased hours, and the Government, is unable to give a guarantee regarding working conditions.”