Great strike Likely

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 199, 20 February 1912, Page 5

Great strike Likely

COIL MINERS WANT MINIMUM WAGE.

EMPLOYERS UNYIELDING,

EFFORTS AT CONCILIATION.

By Cable—Press Association—Copyright. London, February 18.

In the course of a speech at Manchester Sir Edward Grey said that the most serious question present in their minds was the possibility of a universal coal strike that would be the greatest national catastrophe in Britain's history, and he trusted wisdom would be found to avoid the ruinous cost of learning in the school of experience what was learnable beforehand.

London, February 18,

Great Central railwaymen have been officially notified that in the eveftt of a coal strike, many will be reduced in grade or temporarily discharged. The Upper House of Convocation passed a resolution of deep sympathy with the efforts of the Government and the representatives concerned to effect a fair and reasonable settlement of the coal dispute.

The Primate describe the threatened strike as cutting at the heart of English life and effecting practically all industries and homes.

The Bishop of Manchester said he thought that all would sympathise with principles that labor should be the first and not the last charge on industry. Big Sheffield, Wolverhampton, Dudley and other firms have resolved, in the event of a strike, to close their less profitable departments.

The coal-owners have taken elaborate precautions.

There are indications that in the event of the strike a big fillip will be given to the export of South African coal to India, Egypt, West Africa and South America.

Enquiries are progressing as to facilities for billeting soldiers in South Wales.

Mr. Crompton Rickett, M.P., recommends the Government to arrange for the postponement of the notices for a month, provided the owners concede the principle of a minimum wage, leaving the Industrial Council to settle the amount.

Berlin, February 18.

Anxiety ig felt at Essen lest the threatened strike in England should spread to the coalfield which supplies Krupp's works. All the three miners' unions have demanded an increase owing to the rise in the cost of living since last settlement.

Brussels, February 18,

■Miners are unwilling to call a sympathetic strike to help the English colliers, because the failure of the Borinage ■trike has strained their pecuniary reserves.

«10,000 MEN INVOLVED.

UNWILLING STRIKERS

INTERVENTION NOT DESIRED YET.

Received 19, 9.15 pjn. London, February 19.

The total members of the Miners' Union number 610,000. The funds available run into two millions. Judging by the notices withheld in South Wales, fully half the men will be unwillingly idled. If a reasonably large number desire to work, it is believed the owners will keep parte of the mines working, whatever the consequences. Mr. D. Thomas, speaking at Cardiff, •aid neither side wanted intervention, but public pressure would compel the Government to intervene. If it did he hoped it would act impartially. During the Mid-Rhondda trouble, Mr. Churchill showed his impartiality by denouncing both sides, without enquiring into the merits of the case.

Messrs. Harvey and Haslam, members of the House of Commons, declared that intervention was undesirable until masters and colliers had exhausted negotiations.

KEIR HARDIE'S RAVINGS.

FOREIGN WORKERS ASKED TO WORK.

Received 19, 9.15 p.m. Paris, February 19.

Mr. Keir Hardie, addressing the Unified Socialistic Congress at Lyons, which ineluded German and Italian delegates, •aid that within a month there would be a million on strike, asking for minimum wages. He asked foreign workers to help by a general strike, which would be a reply to capitalistic enterprises and territorial spoliations In the Transvaal, Morocco and Tripoli. M. Sembat, president, replied that Socialists must not allow the Franco-Brit-ish entente to become anti-German.

MR. PEMBER REEVES' OPINION.

Received 19, 11.55 p.m,

London, February 10.

Jtr. Pember Reeves, in a letter to the newspapers, replying to Mr. Robertson, «ays that the suggestion that there is acufc* unrest, is unjust as applied to such exceptionally comfortable and thriving countries as Australia and New Zealand. He adds that for twenty years past New Zealand haR suffered less from industrial turmoil than any other free country where white labor is able to assert itself to its full power.