COAL CRISIS.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 July 1919, Page 5

COAL CRISIS.

THE MINERS' ATTITUDE. WILL NOT EXERT THEMSELVES. UNTIL MINES ARE NATIONALISED. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Received July 10, R.g p.m. London, July 15. At the Keswick conference, Mr. Smillie denied that the miners' demands justified the increase in the price of coal. The federation was desirous of assisting to the utmost in increasing the output. The miners denied absolutely the responsibility for the shortage. Mr. Smillie believed nationalisation alone would achieve the proper output by eliminating royalties to owners and the introduction of new machinery. The miners vcre unlikely to strain every nerve to make' the owners' fortunes. He assured the Government that the miners were willing to strike in order to assist, them against the hostile capitalist combination. The conference passed a resolution offering the fullest support to the Government in carrying out Mr. Justice Sankey's report.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

150,000 ON STRIKE. AWARD RATES REFUSED. Received July lfl, 11.15 p.m. London, July lfl. One hundred and fifty thousand miners struck to-night in West Yorkshire, the men refusing the proposed re-arrange-ment of hours and piece rates under Jus.tice Sankey*s award. The masters have nothing to do with the quarrel, which is between the Coal Controller and the miners—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.