The Coal Strike

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 209, 2 March 1912, Page 5

The Coal Strike

POSITION OF THE GOVERNMENT. MINIMUM WAGE FAVORED. A PLEA FOR REASONABLENESS. PBEMIER'S SPEECH WELL RECEIVED , BY MINERS. ly- Cable—Press Association—Copyright. Received 1, 9.30 p.m. London, March 1. The Premier (Mr. H. H. Asquith), at the morning session of the Miners' Conference, emphasised the fact that the coal trade was the life-blood of industry. The Government conceded the principle of a minimum wage without class or party bias. They did not intend that what they believed to be a dwindling minority of employers should unduly de-: lay the attainment of the object, which • the Government believed the miners had properly submitted to them. The Government would make themselves responsible for securing a reasonable minimum. Up and down the country there was a presumption that the Government's decision Might be the cause of the majority of employers assenting to reason in regard to the principle of the mmwawn wage. The Government, however, wre unable to procure reasonabless front the minority of owners in respect to the particular rates decided upon on February 2, but it was necessary that the miners should allow a reasonable latitude of discussion in regard to particular rates. If 'the Government would make themselves responsible they must allow them to, discuss the men's accredited representatives and employers whether any particular figure was reasonable. The men were trying to achieve a minimum, not for .the purpose of raising the wages of the tcoal miners as a whole, because the bulk of coal miners already got above the minimum, but the men were acting on behalf of the 20 or 25 per cent, who were unable to effectively care for themselves. t It was, he said, a great thing that 60 per.cent, of the coal-owners had accepted the principle. A terrible responsibility rested with the miners if, owing to if particular formula or set of figures, thej should hinder the achievement of the .result so near to attainment. The Premier concluded by appealing to she miners not to.forget the great ' mass of people outside, whose welfare and) existence were largely dependent upon the VjoartraVfe. The Miners' Conference are delighted with the tone of the Premier's speech, | believing the sympathy of the Government will give an immense tactical advantage in the contest with the owners, but the plea of reasonable latitude of discussion'in- regard to particular rates was received with strong disfavor. The Premier, realising this, asked the comjnittee to the scheme with the Government to-day. ' The miners unanimously reaffirmed r that no terms would be accepted unless thejf include a schedule of rates for each district. As a result of Sir G. R. Askwith's representations, the Northumberland coalowngrs, employing 70,000 men, have agreed to the'principle of the. minimum wage, but are unable to consent to a minimum wage irrespective of workability or disposition to earn such wage. The Labor Party has decided, if the Government do not legislate, that they themselves will introduce a Bill to make a statutory minimum wage for work in coal fields, embodying the rates agreed upon on February 2. A heavy reduction in the railway service is announced. Downing tools was carried out quietly. The men mostly left their tools in the pits, expecting that after a week's socalled play they will return with the minimum wage.

CONFERENCE OF MINERS. • .MEN HOLD OUT FOR THEIR ; DEMANDS. London, February 29. I The Miners' Conference to-day resolved to maintain its demands, including a schedule of rates for each district for the individual minimum wage. The strikers are observing a holiday spirit, without anv display of ill-feeling. The .Westminster Gazette recommends, after a temporary settlement, the appointment of a commission or joint board to consider the whole condition of the industry and the recoupment of owners, not" necessarily from profits, but possibly from the increased efficiency of labor, the better equipment of the mines, or ' the increase of the price to the public. It also states that permanent peace will be impose Bible unless both sides approach the question as a matter affecting their joint interests. The Admiralty is d'scussing the purchase of some South Wale.? collieries. The Government has drafted a Bill, establishing wage boards of coalowners and men for the settlement of the minimum wage, with Sir' George Ask with as umpire in the event of a deadlock. It is expected the Labor Party will support the Bill, and "the Opposition will not oppose it. There are eight thousand miners idle. The miners' leaders are jubilant at the Government's recognition of the minimum wage. Statistics show that 1,067,213 men were employed in coal mining in the United Kingdom' in 1911, of whom 883,512 worked underground. The outnut was 271,878,924 tons. Ten thousand South Wales engmemen announce their intention of striking im- j mediately for a minimum wage. i Mr. D. Thomas, interviewed, said that the South • Wales coal-owners would rather submit to compulsion than accept the Government's proposals voluntarily when the men were tearing up their agreement. The Government's proposals ■. did not contain provision giving the owners a guarantee that the new agreement would be observed. Tha Morning Leader says: The men's claim that the minimum wage shall be that fixed by the Miners ,Federattftn cannot be maintained. The public has the right to expect from them mooVfration and appreciation of the gravity of the issue." The owners accepting the Government proposals represent 60 per cent, of the output and employ 370,000 men. Those who do not accept employ 293,000 men. Berlin, February 29. The Cologne Gazette states that Rhenish and Westphalian mine-owners will not send coal to England, but hope to capture certain German markets, where English coal preponderates.