STRIKE AT HOME.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 May 1921, Page 5

STRIKE AT HOME.

SETTLEMENT NEARER. > • r, y, ADJUSTMENT OF WAGES. EARLY CONFERENCE EXPECTED. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.*—Copyright Received May 19, 8.50 p.m. London, May 18. It is hoped to-day’s conversations, following the miners’ leaders’ inclination to relax the demand for a pool, will enable Mr. Lloyd George to summon a conference for the week-end. It is significant that the Premier is cancelling engagements, and will remain in London.

The railwaymen’s and transporters’ executives re-affirmed their decision not to handle non-union coal.

The Central News says the Government has suggested that the miners should drop the pooling proposal, though the Government is prepared to put any scheme involving a method which would compel the richer properties to support the poorer before an impartial tribunal. The mines will also be invited to consider a new wages scheme, based on the principle governing the recent railway agreement. This would involve the establishment of a mining national wages board, the grouping of mining areas, and the consequent setting up of group councils of owners and miners for each area. The Government'expects the miners to agree to the application of a sliding scale of wages, increases and reductions, leaving it to the central board to make adjustments. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.