NEW OFFER.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 April 1921, Page 5

NEW OFFER.

REJECTED BY THE MINERS. “BOUND TO FACE CONSEQUENCES” ALLIANCE POSTPONE ACTION. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Received April 13, 10.50 p.m. London, April 12. After the Government’s new proposals were disclosed, Mr. Herbert Smith (miners’ representative) addressed the conference. He said: “We are disappointed again with the Government’s scheme. Apart from an offer to subsidise poor mines, it is the owners’ scheme. We are out for a national wages board. It may be you have it in your minds to starve us into submission, but it is a bad thing for the country when a caee has to be won through women’s and children’s stomachs. Would to God we could avoid it, but we cannot make the settlement you have indicated, and we are bound to face the consequences.” —Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assn.

London, April 12. The Triple Alliance strike hae been postponed.

Mr. Thomas announces that there will be no strike to-night. The railwaymen and transporters await further orders.

A later message states that Mr. Hodges has written to M r - Lloyd George, stating that the executive considered the Government’s proposed terms, but was compelled to reject them, as they offer no solution of the present dispute.

THE NEW OFFER. THE GOVERNMENT’S PROPOSALS. POOLING IMPRACTICABLE. Received April 13, 10.50 p.m. London, April 12. Official: The conference of the coal owners, the miners and the Government representatives, after considering the Government proposals, adjourned, the miners intimating that they w» old communicate with the Government in writing. The Government informed the conference that a pooling arrangement was impracticable; it was not feasible without a resumption of permanent control of the mines by the State, and a voluntary scheme would inevitably break down. Regarding a national settlement of wages, which may be practicable, the Government suggested that there shall in each district be a standard wage, which shall be the first charge on the proceeds of the industry, and no profits will be payable until the standard wage is satisfied. The principle on which the standard is fixed shall be determined nationally, and the amount settled for each district shall be discussed by the present conference. The method of the adjustment of wages in each district shall also be determined nationally, and in determining, regard shall be paid, not merely to the price of coal, but to the possibilities of improving wages by increased economy and efficiency. The question of the relation of the owners’ standard profits to the miners’ standard wage shall immediately be examined by the conference. When, the coal owners and the miners are agreed upon the wages the Government will give assistance for a short time, in order to mitigate a rapid reduction of wages in some districts.—Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assn.

THE MINERS’ DEMANDS. PLEA FOR NATIONAL POOL. PREMIER REJECTS SCHEME. •Received April 13. 11.45 p.m. London, April 12. During the conference, Mr. Frank Hodges (miners’ representative) made an urgent plea for a national pool, saying coal in bad districts as well as coal in good districts is required. Because a man struck a good seam it is not right that he should be exploited regardless of those working in a bad geological area. If the workmen in good areas were willing to make sacrifices the owners should be prepared to make sacrifices for their less fortunate brethren. Mr. Hodges proposed a National Wage Board, consisting of twenty-six mine owners and twenty-six miners, which should determine what levy to impose upon the tonnage raised at every mine. Mr. Lloyd George said that Mr. Hodges’ scheme would so completely beat down the industry that it was not worth while for anybody to pick it up. If there was going to be nationalisation, let it be the real thing. It was absolutely impossible to carry such a scheme through the House of Commons.—Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assn.