COAL STRIKE.

Taranaki Daily News, 4 May 1921, Page 5

COAL STRIKE.

THE ISSUE DEFINED. A POLITICAL QUESTION. ADMISSION BY MINERS’ LEADER, By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Received. May 3, 11.55 p.m. London. May 3. Mr. Hall, the Derbyshire miners’ leader, in a speech, blurted oilt what many declare is the truth at last. He said: “I am proud that the miners are not

making this a mere wage question. It is a political question, and if the Government had offered us a reduction of only sixpence a day we should not have accepted it.”—Reuter Service.

DISTRESS IX XORTH WALES. STRIKE FUNDS EXHAUSTED. Received May 3, 5.5 p.m. London, May 2. The North Wales Miners’ Federation has paid the last available funds to the strikers. There is much distress, and soup kitchens have been opened.— Reuter Service. END AFAR OFF. A BALLOT ADVOCATED. London, May 2. This is the fifth week of the coal strike,' but the settlement still seems afar off, thdugh powerful influences are working to bring the miners and owners together. It is suggested that Mr. Lowther, ex-Speaker, should act as arbitrator. The Government view is that there must be a ballot of all miners forthwith, especially as the majority of the executive is known to favor the acceptance of the ten million offer. Meanwhile trams will be reduced to half the normal number on Wednesday. GROWING HARDSHIPS. BUT NO SURRENDER. London, May 2. Reports of growing hradships are coming in from all parts of the country. East Lancashire, particularly, is in a terrible plight. The accumulated stocks of coal have been exhausted and street lighting is suspended, and the trams reduced to two days weekly. Strike pay has ceased. There are 2500 firms in Leeds which have closed down for want of electricity for power. “No surrender,” was the keynote of the May Day meeting in the South Wales coalfields to-day, but the majority of the colliers are apathetic and content to follow their leaders without publicly questioning the wisdom of their speeches. ' The general estimate is that it will be at least a month before the miners feel the pinch of hunger, as they are well used to strikes and are prepared for them, but the other unemployed are suffering.

Mr. Smillie, late leader of the miners, broke his silence at Larkhall to-day. He said he hoped the miners would not allow themselves to be driven to accept the substantial reductions which the owners proposed.