BRITISH MINERS.

Taranaki Daily News, 12 March 1920, Page 5

BRITISH MINERS.

GENERAL STRIKE THREAT. NATIONALISATION INSISTED ON.. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—CopyrlsM. Received March 11, 1.55 p.m. London, March 10. Labor correspondents state to-mor-row's Trade Union Congress will almost certainly decide in favor of Parliamentary action.

The Miners' Conference adjourned till Friday, when it will discuss the Congress' decision, hut it is not likely a national strike will occur in the abseiio of Congress support for direct action. —Aim,H.Ti .Cable Assn.

A PRESSING PROBLEM. THREAT OP DIRECT ACTION. London, March 9. The special Trades Union Congress ■which meets on March 11 will be the most momentous in tho history of the Labor movement. It lias been called to decide the question whether and how the Government shall be compelled to adopt ,bhe nationalisation of the mines. The agenda paper offers alternative means, firstly by a general strike, secondly by intensive political propaganda. Hence the Congress will have to decide between revolution or constitutional aeHon.

It is noteworthy that at the recent byelections at Ashton, tlie Wrekin Division of Shropshire, and Paisley, nationalisation candidates were defeated. The opinion is expressed that the Congress will he fairly evenly divided, hut that there will ho a small majority against a strike, although it is certain that the miners' vote of 700,000 will be given solidly for direct action.—lmperial Service.

London, March 8. The miners, by 200,000 majority, favored direct action in the event of the Government musing nationalisation. The Scottish Miners' Conference at Glasgow decided to Support a national stoppage of the mine?, at the British Miner?' Federation Conference, to be held in London next week.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

PRESIDENT'S RESIGNATION ACCEPTED. Received March 11, 10.20 p.m. London, March 10. The Miners' Federation decided to accept the resignation of Mr. R.' Smillie (the President of the Federation) of the Presidency owing'to ill-health, and urged Mr. Smillie to take a long rest.—Aus.N.2. Cable Assn.