News From England

Taranaki Daily News, 19 July 1915, Page 5

News From England

THE COAL STRIKE. Sil MINISTERIAL EFFORTS. DISAPPOINTMENT AT CARDIFF. Received July 17, 5.5 p.m. London, July 16. Mr. W. Runeiman had a half hour's conference with the colliery proprietor.-), and later had a conference with the South Wales Federation executive. Nineteen of the executive now favor a return to work, and four oppose it. About '200.€OO men are idle, including surface workers.

There is disappointment at Cardiff as the result of the card vote, which show* 47,45!* in favor of resumption and 89,850 in favor of a strike. Many of the delegates are mere youths, chosen owing to their syndicalist opinions. They say openly that they care nothing for the effect of the strike on the Army and Navy. One delegate states: "If we keep the colliers idle we will get terms in lew than a week." Many non-oflicial miners think the Government was over hasty in proclaiming the district. They say that if Mr. Lloyd George had acted as mediator there wouM'have no cessation of work. The men say it is no use for Mr. Lloyd Oeorge to meet the leaders. Let him come and talk to us straight. A proclamation has been posted in ■colliery towns, but readers are indifferent and the archaic phrases are meaningless to men used to colloquial language.

Extremists are convinced that if co.vl in held up the employers and the Government must yield. No one doubts that the ballot of miners will show an Overwhelming majority in favor of resuming work on day t-> 6ay contracts until the dispute is settled, but a ballot will, not suit the extremists, who are seeking io foree the Government to nationalise the mines.

SETTLEMENT NOT YET REACHED. Received July 18, 3.50 ]>. m. London, July tl. ■ The South Waies .Miners' Executive discussed yesterday's interview with Mr. Runeiman, but it was found impossiblft to reach & decision productive of a settlement. and the meeting adjourned till Monday. A SERIOUS POSITION. THE CASE FOB THE MEN. Received July 18, :4 .p.m. 'London, July 17. The eoalowners gave reasons for maintaining their standpoint, but they finally placed themselves in Mr. Bunciman's bands.

The South Wales miners demand the concession of the full iprogramme according to the draft of the agreement originally submitted to the coalownerß, anil the withdrawal of the application of the Munitions 'Act to coalfields, which lias caused ten thousand times more feeling than anything else. They say that the miners in South Wales are as much entitled to a wage agreement as the lCn;;lish. "Most of the delegates at Cardiff have sons and brothers at the front, and are as intensely patriotic as anybody in the kingdom.

The miners at Pontypridd declare that the men feel, if the question of the new agreement is postponed to the end of the war. they will Ik? " done." i.Mr. J. Edwards, M.P. for Glamorgan, appeals to Mr. Asquith to personally intervene. Tie said that the delegates liad informed 'Mr. Runeiman that the proclamation wns a blunder, and it was considerably increasing the difficulties of a settlement. The Government was entirely resionsible for the situation. Mr. Runeiman luid made various pro- I posals. but the delegates, after a discussion on them, insisted on the immediate necessity of a new minimum, also a new equivalent on the selling price as a definite basis for any future adhy an independent, chairman of tlie Conciliation Board. Their demand, after some discussion in private, 'for the concession of the original proposals, and the withdrawal of the proclamation, did md. meet with a favorable response from -Mr. Runeiman, but the suggestion that the men should he allowed to resume conditionallv on the original terms was granted in the meantime, and the executive will discuss their incorporation. The new agreement docs not necessarily include the whole of the original proposals. Mr. Runeiman had declined. and emphasised the Cahinct's extremclv unsatisfactory position if the attitude was changed to such an extent. He had already offered the best terms the ■Government could concede. Tt was impossible to go further, and if the min 'rs 'persisted a vcrv serious situation would arise. The Munitions Act was already enforced, and he had at present been unable to find a way out of the difficulty. The miners replied that the prociam--tiou had made the situation worse. A solution was possible a week ago, but it was now unthinkable. The executive decided t" adioorn and discuss this •mornin" the -riossibilitv of forinu!i<ti"g proposal* "ith " view to secrrin* r the assent of the whole exwutive committee. Mr. TTartsliom, interviewed, expressed •the widespread criticism •agti'iiit 'the

masters among the men. remarking: " U-!iat course lnui we open'; Only tinlt of stopping work. They thought we wuulil never do this; it meant our overcoming our own patriotism and fin in" the scorn, derision and taunts of the whole country, besides facing Government penalties. They tried to exploit our patriotism." He had endeavored, notwithstanding, to get a decision ill favor of the men, 'but one could understand the feelings of men who objected to hieing defeated by subtlety.

ALIEN AGITATORS. Received July IS, fi.oj p.m. London, July 17. Mr. Ma lion strongly urges the" South ales miners to follow their leaders' advice, and not to forget the cry: "Your country needs you," winch applies to colliers as much as to soldiers and sailors. The Evening News suggests that German influences are at work in South Wales. For a long time some of the agitators have been suspected to lie of German origin, and there are more agitators in the rank and file of the Welsh than on anvj other British field, many of whom are not of British nationality. This feature is noteworthy, as Wales i- the main source of the navy's coal. "

DOES GERMANY WANT PEACE? DISCUSSION IX THE COMMONS. (Times and Sydney Sun Services.) Received July 17, 7 p.m. London, July 17. To the House of Commons, Mr. Slason, M.l\ for Coventry, pressed Mr. Asquith to consider the advisability of discovering the terms of peace on which Germuny win entering, Air. As<(uith refused to do so ilr. Samuel Roberts (Shefiield) asked whether such questions were not really detrimental to the interests of the country. Mr. Asquith: That's a matter of opinion. Everyone can form his own judgment.

Sir A. Markham: The terms of peace will be dictated when we get to Berlin. Mr. It. 1.. Outhwaite (Hawley): Isn't it a fact that the Belgians desire to see Germany negotiated out of their country? (Cries of. '".Vol no!") Driven out, and France converted into a vast war milt. INTERESTING INTERVIEW. MR. WIN'S TON' CHURCHILL SPEAKS. GERMANY A CAGED WII.I) BEAST. Received July 18, 4 p.m. Rotterdam. July 7.

Kr. Win'-ton Churchill, in an interview with the N'ieuue Rotterdamsche Courant 1 (which, ban been censored in London) 1 sayH that had Antwerp been able to notain transport along the Scheldt it need not ha,ve fallen, and the Belgians would 1 have been able to maintain their position 1 on the Nethe instead of the Yser. Hoi- '• land's neutrality was not one-sided, and i if. now holds Antwerp closed for the Germans. ''Don't misunderstand me," 1 he said; ''had the Netherlands allows] violation of neutrality it would ha 'e been attacked and perhaps occupied in a great part by the German army. Tiio Allies had carefully respected the Netherlands' right, as an independent Stare, to consider its own interests. The Allies did not ask. or even hint, for a passage along the Scheldt. Danger will never threaten from our side, but a free Netherlands cm not exist with a German Antwerp. There are possibilities of real danger, because Germany may be forced to attack Holland. Germany is getting into the position of a wild beast in a cag' v/h:eh sees the flames cotning nearer and ri".ircr, and makes desperate dash"s to left ami right. Fortunately, you have your good brave army, and then your wonderful wateiiine. After this war the position of small States will be stronger than ever. The criminal who has thrown himself on to little Belgium will stand, after, his chastisement, as a foiwfi:i example." Mr. Churchill added: "The. Allies iiiv going t > win. The world stands open to us. We can recuperate and strengthen oto'He.lves as often as is necessary. lintan's determination nnd power grow iMiithly; men are streaming in. We are unable to equip tlieni as quickly as thev oiler themselves The industrial rehowv.'m are being thorough!v organised, arid the production of ammunition will he staggering. The licet is continuously growing stronger. The Italians have joined us; they are fresh, and more nation'* v.iil follow. Is it strange that the British v.er-- not as strong as the Germans on the first day? These people had prepared themselves for forty years, whereas v. e had to expand whiie fighting, and had party to improvise." SATISFACTION IN* HOLLAND, received Julv 18, 5.5 p.m. London, .Tilly 17. 'T:«» N ■ ave Courant.. commenting on ■ the C!i"-chill interview, says that it con'.nrM >etch neutrality, and that Holland has nothing to fear from England. The interview has given satisfaction in ■ Holland. ... tfjif

PATRIOTIC WOMEN. ADDRESSED IJV Ml!. LLOYD UKOIU.iE. Received Julv 18j 7.1.5 p.m. London, July 17. Heavy rain detracted from the women's demonstration. There was, however, a. prooession a mile long, of I 2.3 sections, each headed by banners. Among the inscriptions were: ".Men must fight and women must work''; "We are not slacker-' ; "We mean to save our country, and to keep the Kaiser out"; "We demand war service for all." .Mr. Lloyd George, in his address at the Embankment, said that about iif'.y thousand women were already working in munition factories. It was a question of getting men and women to work together to help the country through the worst crisis ever experienced. The first tiling was to get mi adequate, supply of machine tools. The Government was assuming control of all the machine toolmaking establishments. The women must give their whole time to the work, and they would receive the same piece rates as men. The Government would control the factories ant see that there was no sweated labor. Women coukl help to victory; without them victory would tarry, and a victory which tarried meant a victory whose footprints were footprints of blood.

EXPATRIATED. Received July 18, 3.30 p.m. London, July 17. Ernest Blvthe and L. Mellows, who were engaged in organising Irish volunteers in various parts, have been ordered to be expatriated. They will be allowed to select a place of residence, with the military authorities' approval, but must not leave the district without permission. Both men refuse to leave Ireland, declaring that no charge against them has been formulated.

Received July 18, 4 p.m. Loudon, July IS. Mellows and l'im, the latter known as Newman, were organisers of the Sinn Fein volunteers. Their expulsion is made under the Defence of the Realm Act.

THRIFT URGED. London, July 17. A representative meeting of financiers and business men of the City recommend increased thrift and new taxation of al! classes of people. Mr. Harold C'ov said that before the war is over Britain "'ill have to borrow two thousand millions, and our annual expenditure hereafter would be at least £130,000 (?) over peace standard. Lord St. Aldwyn, who was presiding, said that private extravagance was visible among all classes. A deputation will wait on the Premier. WAR AND FINANCE. Received July 18, 5.5 p.m. London, Jn'y 17. Mr. J. M. Robertson (Middlesbrough) says that Germany will be bankrupt in six months. It is, he says, impossible to over-rate the financial side of the struggle. He did not believe the war would last as long as some military experts predicted, because Germany cannot endure financially. She is spending 140 millions sterling monthly, and it is our business to wear down the enemy. He did not believe the nations' who had power to lend money had been half exploited.

ECONOMISING MATERIAL. Received July 18, 4 p.m. London, July 17. Mr. Herbert Samuel announced that the subscription through the post office, apart from vouchers, totalled twenvvfour millions, an increase of nine millions since July 10. Every care woiild be taken at the front to economise by renewing equipment that had beeft made waste, but the War Ofßce was now remedying this. Sir John French's vL'SV was that this war was one of machinery. Our soldiers were easily superior to the Germans, man for man, but we have to cope with artillery, munitions, and an enormous German mechanical organisation.