NOT SETTLED.

Taranaki Daily News, 1 October 1920, Page 5

NOT SETTLED.

BRITISH COAL CRISIS. NEGOTIATIONS FRUITLESS. tt ftlefrwb.—iFmm Assn.—Copytighti Received Sept. 30, 10.5 p.m. London, Sept. 30. Four days' strenuous negotiations have failed to produce a plan for submission to tho Government. It is understood the miners did not propose a definite datum line, but were inclined ta negotiate on a basis of 232,000,000 tons. When the miners met Mr- Lloyd George there was some plain speaking on both sides, perhaps due to the fact that no shorthand report was taken, as Mr. Smillie (the miners' leader) empliaticallj protested against a suggestion that a note shonld be taken of the proceedings and published. Mr. Lloyd George accordingly' agreed that only a general statement of the result of the deliberations should be issued. Mr. Lloyd George madie it plain that the Government would not abandon its position; there must be a public enquiry before wage increases were permitted. The Daily Telegraph states that the coal owners proposed a datum line of 242,000,000 tons annually, with an in- j crease of wages conditionally on the | datum line being exceeded. This figure I is about 12,000,000 tons above the output for the year ended in June, but it is pointed out that the number of miners employed was constantly increasing. The miners proposed that the June quarter's output should be the datum, with an immediate increase of two shillings in wages, and further increases correspondent to the output, The negotiations have completely broken 1 down.—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn. "HEADING FOR A CONFLICT." MINERS INSIST ON MORE PAY. 1 Received Sept. 30, 11.5 p.m. London, Sept. 30. It is known that there was a strong difference of opinion among the miners' leaders. The most hopeful possibility is that the conference of delegates today will authorise another ballot upon the acceptance of the owners* proposals. The Daily Chronicle says the Miners' Federation not abandoned the idea of getting the advance, irrespective of output This attitude means heading for a conflict. Meanwhile, the public must be calm, and he prepared to support the Government in .upholding reason and justice. The Daily Express states that the coal owners' offer is fair and advantageous. They are prepared to pay an increase at the end of October if the month's output justifies it. If the miners reject this they will range public opinion solidly against them. The Daily News, however, is of opin-, ion that if the Government consents to an immediate grant of 2s, conditional upon the parties agreeing to a joint ; scheme regarding wages and output, that scheme will he forthcoming.— Am.-N.Z. Cable Assn. BOTH SIDES FIRM. OUTLOOK NOT PROMISING. Received Oct. 1, 12.40 a.m. London, Sept. 29. The coal conference ended, in a deadlock. The parties issued a statement to the effect that after a lengthy discussion the coal owners submitted a scheme for the future regulation of wages based on output, which, after full consideration, the miners' representatives refused. The miners submitted proposals for present and future regulation of wages in relation -to output, which, after full consideration, the coal owners' representatives refused. The parties are reporting' separately to the Government. The South Wales Miners' Federation all along insisted on an immediate wage advance. Moreover, they are strongly antagonistic to any settlement on a basis of payment by results, unless endorsed by the general body of miners. A special conference at Cardiff endorsed this attitude to-day. Some light is thrown on the miners' standpoint if a statement made by Mr. John Cairns, MJ?., to the Stockburn miners is credible. He predicted an early movement for a reduction of the miners' working hourt to six daily. The miners saw the Prime Minister. The first meeting lasted If hours, after which Mr. Hodges (the miners' secretary) made a statement to the effect that the Prime Minister urged a further meeting with the coal owners with a view to agreeing in regard to the datum line. The miners replied that they concluded no further good would accrue therefrom. They have to report to tomorrow's miners' conference.—Reuter Service.