The Coal Strike

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 213, 7 March 1912, Page 5

The Coal Strike

FIVE MILLION PEOPLE AFFECTED. AUSTRALIAN METHODS OF SETTLEMENT. EXPLOITATION BY THE MIDDLEMAN. AN ORGANISER IMPRISONED. By Cable—Pre* Association—Copyright. London, March 5. Five million men, women and children are directly affected by the strike. Suburban trains are immensely overcrowded. Some lines have reduced the aervices 20 per cent. Mr. Philip Snowden, writing to the Christian Commonwealth, says the miners have scored a tremendous victory in obtaining what the Government l\ave already offered, and it would be a thousand pities if a stiff-necked attitude alienates public sympathy.

The Board of Trade has issued the text of laws of British dominions and elsewhere relating to strikes. Many newswapers have articles on Australian methods.

The Chronicle says that in all the great colonial laws fines and imprisonment are penalties for workmen and unions, and progressive parties in Great Britain must face this, as is done in the dominions.

Many Australian steamers are delayed by the coal strike. Others are excluding part of their cargo, and are filling up the space with coal, which is not obtainable at Las Palmas, where supplies are being reserved for homeward-bound steamer*.

A committee has been appointed to consider whether the middleman is exploiting the public by raising the price of coal.

Patrick Daily, organiser of the Irish Transport Workers, has been sentenced to a month's imprisonment for delivering a violent speech on the labor troubles at Wexford. The Labor Party has given notice of motion to appeal on his behalf.

The Premier, speaking in the House of Commons, paid a tribute to both Hides for the skill and calmness with which they presented their cases. He affirmed that the Government's acceptance of the principle of a miniinum wage was subject to two conditions, the first being that the wage must vary according to the district, and the second that it must be accompanied by safeguards protecting the masters against diminution of output treated. The miners had fixed upon a schedule as the outside range of negotiations. He still hoped that a minimum would be arranged. Mr. TJonar Law said he would not dream of criticising the Government, and he did not desire to discuss the question. The Opposition would not make the Government's task any more difficult than it was.

SYMPATHETIC STRIKE UNJNJSUES--BARY. EARLY SETTLEMENT ANTICIPATED. PRINCIPLE OF THE MINIMUM WAGE Received 6. 11.15 p.m. London, March 6. The coal-owners reassembled to-day for a conference with the Premier. The Miners' Federation has informed the transport workers that it is unnecessary to declare a sympathetic strike. Mr. A. V. Dickey, in a letter to the Times, urges the repeal of the Trades Disputes Act, as neither masters nor men should possess the privilege of committing wrongs. He recommends adequate protection for the miners where their right to work is menaced.

Mr. W. T. Stead, in the Times, suggests that the nation should guarantee the mine owners against any loss daring a three months' trial of the minimum wage, and thus obtain data With which to arrange a permanent settlement.

Twenty steamers have been chartered to convey American and Westphalian coal to the Mediterranean and South American depots, which have heretofore been supplied from Wales.

Officials are looking after the Whitborn pit ponies. The crowd at Ryhope overpowered the watchman and looted the coal waggons. The Daily Chronicle predicts that the Government wfll introduce a Bill tomorrow, establishing the principle of the minimum wage.

The Telegraph says that as the result of enquiries among the miners and their leaders, Cabinet anticipated a satisfactory settlement within a week. It also adds that the men are likely to slightly modify the wage schedule, thus enabling the owners to reconsider the main ' points whereon their opposition thereto is based. IMPORTATION OF FOREIGN COAL IMPEDED. Brussels, March 5. The International Union of Transport Workers has decided to impede the importation of German, Belgium and French coal to England.