THE COAL STRIKE

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10594, 28 March 1912, Page 5

THE COAL STRIKE

CABLE NEWS

(United Preti Aisociation —By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.)

FAILURE 07 SECOND CONFERENCE

AN UNEXPECTED DEMAND.

(Received Last Night, 11.2-3 o'clock.)

LONDON, March 27

Profound disappointment is expressed at the faiLure of the Conference.

There are serious misgivings in {Smith Wales.

It is possible that efforts will be jnade to re-open the pit®, buit it is feared that there will be a change from, the peaceful behaviour which has hitherto characterised _ the strike. The coal, owners complain that the Government 'invited them, to Downing Street and suddenly faced them with (the miners' representatives. The conference lasted for five minutes, and' terminated through, a jnember of tflie Government protecting JVlir R. Smillie, the Scottish labour Jeader, who suddenly resurrected his idem and. Tor 5s 9d and 3s for the Scottish miners. The mine oweni's immediately withdrew, several saying "it was- disgusitiiig- . . ■ •Mr Smillie states' that; 5s 9d 'and 3s has been, the " Scottish demand (throughout.' •• • 1 The Daily New® states that the Government intends" the ' constiiution 'of a National Wages Board, with an independent Chairman. to consider the demand for 5s and 2is upon the understanding that the miners 'return to <work if the point is settled. The Miners' Federation will 'consider the proposal to-day. The Birmingham Post states that Lords IJoreburn. and Mbrley, at Friday's Cabinet meeting, strongly opposed the insertion of the 5a and 2a minimum, but several members of itiie Cabinet- approved it. Finally, Messrs Uoyd-George and Buxtbn alone persisted, and only yielded when their aix colleague*. definitely "stated that they would retire if the figures were included. •

THE WAGES BILL.

TO BE PUSHED THROUGH. ((Received Mlareh 27, 9 a.m.) LONDON, March 26. The Prime Minister (Mr Asquith) announced in- lie House of Commons t,ha<t it was important to pass ' the Minimum Wages Bill rthwith. The Government, he said, wiould not consent t'c the insertiori of a provision for a minimum wage. " ... Mr Bonar Law, Leader of the Opposition, intimated tliat the Opposition would not place obstacles in. the way of the passage of the Bill'. The Government, lie added, had gone to unprecedented lengths .to meet the miners. '

The King has cancelled' Ms proposed. visit to the Grand National mcetr ing a.t Liverpool, nbt desiring in indulge in public amusement while the country's condition is so serious. Three hundred additional men havte resumed, work in North Wales, 400 in Warwickshire and 600 at Rtosehaill. One-third of. the population of Ilkestone, Derbyshire, is subsisting on chai-dtV; • CSiiMtien' at lie in."bed for' 'Jack -of Rothes. Others are hungering m iho The South. Wales owners have given £3OOO to the Swnr.sc a. ■-Cardiff and Newport Relief Cuirmitkc-s, and the West Yorkshire. owner.. 1000 guineas to the local Relief Committee.