MINERS’ STRIKE.

Taranaki Daily News, 30 May 1921, Page 5

MINERS’ STRIKE.

GOVERNMENT OFFER.

temporary settlement. GRADUAL FALL IN WAGES. By Telegraph.—-Press Assn.—Copyright. London, May 27. Mr. Lloyd George, addressing the joint meeting of coal-owners and miners, stated that the Government’s proposal was for a temporary settlement, sealing down wages gradually to the economic level, the deficiency being provided by a composite fund consisting of the Government’s contribution of £10,000,000 and the amount involved by the owners’ offer to forego profits. This temporary arrangement depended, so far as the Government was concerned, on an agreement regarding the terms for a permanent settlement between the owners and the miners, or machinery to determine such terms. They should agree definitely regarding the procedure and machinery whereby wages would be determined. If they saw no immediate prospect of a permanent settlement the Government would not put a single sixpence of the taxpayers’ money on the table, unless it was assured that a permanent agreement would be forthcoming. The Government would not subsidise the coal industry and would not increase its contribution beyond £10,000,000. The miners’ and owners’ meetings will separately consider Mr. Lloyd George’s i statement.

DETAILS OF THE SCHEME. THREE AVENUES OF AGREEMENT. POOL DEFINITELY REJECTED. Received May 29, 5.5 p.m. London, May 28. The official Government proposals for a settlement, which were submitted to the coal miners and owners, provide for the temporary arrangements cabled yesterday. The duration is dependent on the extent by which the Government’s £10.000,000 and the owners’ sacrifice of standard profits for three months will make up the difference between the economic wages the mines are able to pay and the actual wages fixed. As the miners and owners were unable to agree, to the terms for a permanent settlement the dispute must be decided by one of the following three methods < (1) A National Wages Board, composed of equal representation of the owners and the miners, with a neutral chairman with a casting vote. (2) A tribunal of three persons. (3) Arbitration.

The matters to be submitted to the determining body selected, which must report within two months, include: (1) Rates of wages at the end of the temporary period based on the industry’s capacity in each district, and subsistence to the lowest paid workers, also the possibility of increasing the output; (2) a minimum standard wage in each district; (3) proportion of profits to wages in the distribution of the proceeds of the industry. The determining body's decision is to be binding for twelve months on both parties, and thereafter subject to three months’ notice by either side. It is unofficially reported that Mr. Lloyd George informed the- miners that the question of a national pool of wages and profits, and also any scheme for the .amalgamation of collieries, were absolutely ruled out of present or future considei ition. He added emphatically that if the miners and owners failed to reach an agreement Parliament would be immediately asked to legislate to compel both parties to arbitrate. The dispute could not be permitted to continue.

The miners officially announce that the proposals will be referred to the district associations. —Aus.-N.Z> Cable Assn.

VIEWS OF MINERS’ LEADERS. DISAPPOINTED WITH SCHEME. Received May 29, 5.5 p.m. Landon, May 27. The miners’ leaders, interviewed, express keen disappointment at the discussion. The Government’s scheme seemed primarily designed to get the men back to work first, and discuss the details afterwards. “We will have none of this; something more tangible must be produced if peace is to result,” they declare. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. Received May 29, 5.5 p.m. London, May 27. The Government primates that if the miners return to work forthwith they will lose 2s 6d per shift in June, 3s in July, 3s 6d in August and 4s in September, but increased production may render wages nearly normal.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. FOREIGN COAL EMBARGO. Received May 29, 11.5 p.m. London, May 28. 'A conference of locomotive engineers decided, in view of the Government’s assurance that foreign coal would be used only for essential services, that suspended members be instructed to resume duty immediately.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.