THE FIRST TASK.

Taranaki Daily News, 11 April 1921, Page 5

THE FIRST TASK.

PERIL OF WRECKED MINES. AS FATAL AS LOSING THE WAR. Received April 10, 5.5 p.m. London, April 8. The triple alliance’s decision to strike at midnight cn Tuesday, instead of Sunday, is regarded as a triumph for the moderates, allowing four days in which to re-open negotiations. Both the railwaymen and transportation executives are reluctant to call a strike. Mr. Lloyd George has addressed a further letter to the Miners’ Federation, in which he says that in view of the grave consequences involved it is difficult to understand how any discussion designed to promote a settlement can usefully proceed unless we all agree that the first task should be to secure the preservation and safety oKthe mines, without which there must be widespread and continued unemployment and distress. The Government’s attitude is dictated solely by a desire to remove the main obstacle that stood in the way of fruitful negotiations. The destruction of the mines would be as fatal to the nation as defeat in the war; to secure them must be the paramount duty of the Government.—Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assn.

WAGES CAUSE THE STOPPAGE. UNEMPLOYMENT PAY WANTED. REFUSED TO MINERS. Received April 10, 5.5 p.m. London, April 8. The Miners’ Federation has appealed against the decisions refusing unemployment pay to miners during the present stoppage of work. Mr. Simons, on behalf of the federation, argued that the miners were unable to obtain suitable employment, in that the only offer was at a lower rate of pay than they habitually obtained in their districts. Sir Gordon Hewart (AttorneyGeneral), on behalf of the Ministry of Labor, contended that none, except for controversial purposes, could doubt that the dispute regarding wages was the cause of the stoppage. Clearly this was a trade dispute. The Court disallowed the federation’s claim. —Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assn.

MIXES BECOMING USELESS. NO COAL FOR WARSHIPS. A VICAR SUPPORTS MINERS. Received April 10, 5.5 p.m. London, April 8. The North-Eastern Railway Firemen’s Association "has decided to remain at work in any event. The Northumberland collieries continue, in good condition, and pumping con-' tinues throughout Derbyshire. The Rev. Moll, vicar of Newcastle-on-Tyne, urged the miners to stand'firm. A Scottish colliery expert says that within a week eighty per cent, of the Scottish pits will be unworkable, re-. quiring colossal expenditure to repair, which the owners will be unable to undertake unaided.

Navigation coal from Fife, from which the warships at Rosyth are supplied, will not be available for months. —Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assn.

ACTION IN CANADA. MOVE TO STOP COAL EXPORTS. Received April 10, 5.5 p.m. Ottawa, April 8. The Canadian Federation of the Trades and Labor Council executive passed a resolution requesting the American Federation of Labor to urge the united firihe workers to refuse to mine coal for export to England or for use in English ships during the strike. —Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assn.