THE STRIKE BILL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 226, 22 March 1912, Page 5

THE STRIKE BILL.

"INADEQUATE AND A SHAM." DIVIDED OPINIONS. By Cable—Press Association—Copyright. London, March 20. Opposition newspapers describe the Minimum Wage Bill as inadequate and a sham. The Times considers that the public at present prefers a gentle solution, but possibly radical treatment will T>e required sooner, or later. The owners generally consider the measure to be a makeshift. The masters in the federated area who conceded the minimum last autumn were encouraged to believe that the question was to y have been fought out again shortly. Many miners regard the Bill as satisfactory, especially in North Wales., where there is much distress. The Miners' Federation Conference, contrary to the advice of the executive, passed a resolution that the Government Bill would not be acceptable unless it provided a minimum of five shillings for adrfts and two shillings for toys, and schedule rates for hewers. The Labour Party was requested to move the necessary amendments. At the start there were differences regarding the inclusion of the schedule for hewers, but the Welsh and Scottish delegates combined and 'carried the point by a majority of twelve out of 140. The conference has adjourned till Friday. Mr. Hallam, interviewed afterwards, said: "We are as far from a settlement as ever." The conference of surfacemen of Yorkshire and Derbyshire, representing ten thousand, passed a resolution that unless the Bill includes a minimum wage for surfacemen the strike is to continue. Middlesborough is importing German coal for the relief committee, but the dockers refused to unload it. The corporation was divided on the point, but the majority arranged for volunteers to unload it. Extreme Radicals sharply heckled Sir Rufu3 Isaacs, Attorney-General, regarding Tom Mann's arrest, on the ground that it was an interference with free speech.

ADVERSELY CRITICISED. WILL NOT SECURE PERMANENT PEACE. Received March 22, 12.5 a.m. London, March 21. The attitude of the Miners' Federation is causing Ministerialists grave anxiety as to the fate of the Coal Mines Bill. The owners also seek drastic amendments. At a meeting of the Opposition leaders, it was decided that the minimum pro. visions were not calculated to secure permanent peace. Mr. Balfour therefore moves the rejection of the Bill. The South Wales miners are also dissatisfied with the Bill. Engineering and shipbuilding employers' federations, representing 1000 firms employing 700,000 men and paying £40,000,000 in wages, carried a resolution of protest against legislating for the minimum wage, pointing out the injury that would be inflicted on collective bargaining by breach of agreements. The Cardiff Chamber of Commerce carried a resolution expressing concern at the Government legalising breach of contracts. There was nothing in the Bill preventing the recurrence of strikes, and the Chamber recommended that the Bill do not apply to Wales until the expiry of the existing agreement ia 1015.

VICTOR GRAYSON'S UTTERANCE. Received March 22, 12.5. a.m. London, Maich 21. Victor Grayson condemned the arrest of Tom Mann. Any soldier, he said, firing on a striker was not fulfilling the function wherefore he was enlisted. He urged the soldiers either not to shoot or to shoot high. Victor Grayson counselled the miners to insist on the schedule being embodied in the Bill. DIRE DISTRESS AMONG THE POOR. IMPORTATION OF COAL. Received March 22, 12.5 a.m. London, March 21. Stormy weather with snow is increasing the sufferings of the poor at Cardiff. Three hundred hunger marchers at Grimsby appealed to the Mayor for food. The men were suffering keenly and rations were distributed. The German coal at Middlesboro has been unloaded, and the first shipment ot Canadian coal, 1250 tons, *has arrived at Millwall.

RAILWAY MEN'S ACTIVITY. Received March 21, 10.40 p.m. London, March 21. The railwayman are preparing to submit a new national programme to the railway companies in May. It includes a minimum of twenty-five shillings weekly for adults.

OIL AS FUEL. Received Marcli 21. 10.40 p.m. London, March 21. Harland & Wolff and the Great Western Railway are testing solid oil for Wei.