MINES CRISIS.

Taranaki Daily News, 25 July 1919, Page 5

MINES CRISIS.

NATIONALISING MINES. PREJUDICING THE FRENCE MARKET. By Telegraph,—Press Assn.—Copyright. London, July 23. The Triple Labor Alliance discussed,a | fesolution by Mr Frank Hodges, of the Miners' Federation, for a strike ballot in the event of the Government not conceding the demands for the nationalisation of the coal mines and the non-interfer-ence of the military in disputes. Ten thousand Monmouthshire miners have resumed work. Paris, July 23. M. 'Loucheur, Minister of Industries and Public Instruction, speaking in the Chamber, said that Britain had intimated that the coal difficulties necessitate a reduction in the export of coal from 77 million to 23 million tons; also the arrangement had been abandoned for supplying France at the Price in England, but England now offered France !1 million instead of IS million tons at 135 francs per ton. France had unsuccessfully protested, atid had arranged to secure coal more cheaply from America.

PUMPS GUARDED BY SOLDIERS. WINDING MEN STRIKE. Received July 24, 5.5 p.m. London, July 23. Mr. Lloyd George and other members of the Cabinet had a long conference with the coal owners. Soldiers, wearing trench helmets, are guarding the pumping stations, and bluejackets arc arriving in Yorkshire in motor-cars. The winding men have now struck, so it is difficult to lower the men to the pumps.—Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc. RESTRICTED RAILWAY SERVICES. VOLUNTEERS TO KEEP MINES OPEN SOME MINERS GOING BACK. Received July 2'4>, 8.15 p.m. London. July 23. The triple Labor alliance carried Mr. Hodge's resolution by 217 votes to 11. The Coal Controller has restricted householders to a hundredweight each delivery. The railway companies have notified the public that it is necessary to considerably reduce the passenger services, and it may be impossible to guarantee bringing back holiday-makers from the seaside resorts. Pump men and engine men at three mines in South Yorkshire have decided to resume work so as to avoid damage to the pits. Thousands of mining engineers and others arc offering to replace strikers to save the mines. Ten thousand Notts miners struck. Nottingham streets are unlighted. A few miners are working in Durham, but thirty thousand are out in Derbyshire. On the other hand a mass meeting at Burnley, Lancashire, adopted a resolution to resume forthwith.—Aus.' N.Z. Cable Assoc. THfc PIECE RATE CLAIM.

EABLY SETTLEMENT HOPED FOR. Received July 25, 1.45 am. London, July 24. An early settlement of the miners' piece rate claim is hoped for in some quarters. It is pointed out that the men's demand for 1 -7th increase had been conceded by many owners before the Coal Controller had awarded 12i per cent. Possibly the Controller will allow a settlement on the l-7th basis.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.