INDUSTRIAL UNREST

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 198, 19 February 1912, Page 5

INDUSTRIAL UNREST

THE COAL CRISIS. A MILLION MEN INVOLVED. By Cable—Pr«M AnoeiatiM—Opyrigkt. London, February 16.

The English Coal Conciliation Board meets on Monday, and it is hoped will effect a temporary settlement. A strike would involve a million miners. The ironmasters in the Cleveland and South Durham districts have given the workmen a fortnight's notice, in view of the expected shortage of coai. Lord St. Aldwyn, independent chairman of the Conciliation Board, awarded South Wales miners an increase of iy± per cent., which the owners recently refused. The owners have agreed to meet the men and discuss the crisis, while intimating that they would not grant a minimum wage in the form demanded.

BRITISH MINERS. MASTERS AND MEN AT LOGGERHEADS. Received 19,12.30 a.m. London, February 18. The Northumberland mine owners rejected the deputies' and enginemen's application to cease work.

In the event of a strike the mine owners resolved that regarding colliers' notices, they would not depart from the principle of payment according to the work performed. Several newspapers in London and the provinces urge the Government to somehow stop the strike. It is reported that the Industrial Council is about to bring the masters and men together with a view to offering to set up a roval commission, the men to resume work while awaiting tlu* findings of the commission, whereon s ballot will be taken.

FRENCH MINERS MAY STRIKE FOR PENSION.

Received 18, 5.5 p.m. Paris, February 17.

A referendum of French miners resulted in an enormous majority in favor of a strike on March 1, unless Parliament legislated to grant miners a pension of two francs daily at the age of 55, after 25 years' work.