THE COAL STRIKE

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10571, 29 February 1912, Page 5

THE COAL STRIKE

CABLENEWS (United Presi Association— By Elt<> trie Telegraph—Copyright.)

GOVERNMENT SCHEME DEVISED MINIMUM WAGE. MUST' BE GRANTED. RIOTING AT "CHESTERFIELD. (Received Last Night, 9.15 o'clock.)

LONDON, Feb. 28. After the Premier's address at the Mining Conference, the Right Hon. ID. Lloyd-George asked questions, including one as to who would guarantee the minimum wage when a miner takes a contract for labour. Messrs Edwards and Smellie outlined the men's reasons, for. pressing for the concession of an individual minimum wage. Each district was stated to be ready to consider details afterwards. The Premier then intimated that the Government had devised a scheme dealing with the application of the principle of a minimum wage. He. asked the miners to appoint a committee to consider the matter". The meeting between. Cabinet Ministers and the miners' committee lasted three hours. It is understood that the Government had a difficulty in inducing the men's, representatives to consider the scheme, which was reported to be of a very novel character. . There is a consensus of opinion that the Government has definitely decided that the minimum wage must be granted, in order to prevent some of the miners being victimised, by being allotted abnormal, places. The Government also desire both, sides to-undertake to allow the Government' to act as umpire, in the event of their failing to agree. When the Premier approached the masters on Thursday, he suggested that the adoption of the minimum wage would affect only 25 per cent, of the men, and would not involve much increa.se in expenditure. Many owners denied this. Already 38,000 miners are on strike, including 17,000 in Yorkshire. The strikers stoned and threw bottles at a train taking miners 'to Chesterfield. . The police dispersed the rioters.