COAL ARMISTICE.

Shannon News, 4 August 1925, Page 4

COAL ARMISTICE.

MINERS CLAIM VICTORY. SUBSIDY TO INDUSTRY WILL COST TEN MILLIONS. LONDON, July 31. The Commons was crowded and members cheered the Premier when he entered. Mr. Baldwin announced that the mine owners’ notices had been suspended for a fortnight and the men ordered by the executive to remain at work. A provisional agreement had been reached with the mine owners, subject to district confirmation, the miners’ executive sending out the following telegram: "Notices suspended, continue working.” Mr. Baldwin added that if there was any local hitch, owing to the lateness o'f the hour at which the .settlement was reached, lie trusted all parties would co-operate to remove it.

Mr. J. R. Clynos expressed a very great sense of relief. Mr. Lloyd George asociated himself with Mr. Clynes’ words in regard to the relief. He felt the whole community would be thankful that this dark cloud had not at present broken upon British industry.

On being asked regarding the conditions reached,'Mr. Baldwin said the negotiations had only concluded within the last five minutes. Mr. Churchill world have certain information, which would be published to-night The matter could be discussed, if necessary, next week, probably on Thursday. TREASURY S DILEMNA. SUBSIDY OR UNEMPLOYED DOLE LONDON, July 31. . Mr. Baldwin’s settlement is gener-* ally hailed as a big victory for the trade unionists in general and the miners in particular. Negotiations during the morning lay between the Government and the owners, as the trade union leaders resolutely claimed that the questions of hours and the minimum wage were outside the limits of negotiations. Messrs. Baldwin and Churchill met the owners at mid-day. There were several anxious hours until four o’clock, when Mr. Baldwin was due to report to the Commons. It is understood Mr. Churchill throughout was emphatic that the Government had no intention of giving the industry a blank cheque. There was also the question how far the owners were going to re-open the SCB pits already closed and it is still not known how tiiese will be affected. The final settlement followed the subvention granted the mines in 1931. The settlement takes th e forqi of the Governmnt providing funds for the next nine months to enable the owners to continue to pay wages on the basis of the 1924 agreement . The industry lost 15 millions in June, so it is assumed the subvention will cost the Government ten to twelve millions though the actual amount will depend oh the course of trade between August and May, Mr. J. H. Thomas, the railway representative, was an important go-be-tween during the later stages of the negotiations, acting as unofficial liaison officer between the Government and the trade unions. \ When matters were at their worst last night, a consultation between Messrs. Thomas and Churchill was greatly influenced by the fact that if it did not keep the mines going, the country would be forced to pay many 7j illions in poor relief,