THE STRIKE.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 October 1920, Page 5

THE STRIKE.

BRITISH COAL CRISIS. N$ SETTLEMENT YET. CAftESKfS HASTY CALL AT Assn.—Copyright Received Oct. 27, 7.40 p.m. London, Oct. 26. Expectations of a coal settlement today have been disappointed. Ministers and miners had a long conference, sitting till 5.80 p.m. The situation ig allegedly critical, and necessitated a. hasty summons of Cabinet for six o'clock. The negotiations were resumed at 7.30 and lasted only ten minutes, when an adjournment was made until to-morrow. No official announcements have been made.

NO HITCH OCCURRED.

SETTLEMENT OUTLOOK GOOD. JBOVISIONAL CONCESSION LIKELY. Received Oct. 27, 7.40 p.m. London, Oct. 27. A promising feature of the situation is that the formal conversations have given place to formal negotiations. Though an official announcement has been deferred, there is no reason for believing that there has been a hitch. On the contrary, there is even ground for belief that an atmosphere has been created favorable to a settlement. It is understood that the Government now favors giving the miners two shillings provisionally until the National Wages Board has agreed to a scheme by which wages will be regulated by the revenue or the turnover of a field. The arrangements will resemble the old Welsh sliding scale, on a national instead of on a local basis. The board will detenninn what amount of coal rrnnne should be allotted to wages and what amount to profit. It is agreed that oil increase in wages must not entail a higher price for coal. The owners agree to provide new machinery where necessary to increase the output, and the miners' leaders agree to deal with absenteeism. It is explained that the Government have not receded from their position that an increase in wages mast come from an increased output— AUB.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

PROGRESS OP NEGOTIATIONS THE DIFFERENCES REDUCED. Received Oct. 27, 6.5 p.m. London, Oct, 26. It is understood the differences between the minor's and the Government have now been reduced to the follow hig: "The miners have waived their plaint for an unconditional advance, and the Government are prepared to give the increase of two shillings upon a satisfactory output, the owners to provide every facility for increasing the output, including new plant where wanted." The leaders doubt whether the miners will accept anything short of an unconditional advance.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Man.

A TRIAL IN OUTPUT. AffiJERS WANT THREE MONTHS. Received Oct. 27, 9.30 p.m. London, Oct. 27. Several newspapers state that the miners undertake not to Tesort to direct lotion in order to secure nationalisation »f the mine*. It is reported the miners ask that there shall be no revision of the extra 2s for three months, though the Government suggest a revision at the end of the year if there is no increase in output. This difference will ( probably he easily settled. Mr. Lloyd George will discuss the Gotetnment proposals and tne miners' answers with the coal-owners before he meets the miners' leaders to-4av.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. ? ' , B-B-