Papurau Newydd Cymru

Chwiliwch 15 miliwn o erthyglau papurau newydd Cymru

Cuddio Rhestr Erthyglau

8 erthygl ar y dudalen hon

Dririk aqd the Nation.

Men in Fighting Spirit.

Newyddion
Dyfynnu
Rhannu

Men in Fighting Spirit. Cymmer Miners and Agents. There is an ominous cloud of unrest passing over the South Wales coalfield these days, which is fraught with the gravest consequences. The immediate matter at issue is, of course, the action of the Powell Dutfryn Company in stop- ping the Aheraman Pits because of a dispute' in the Gellideg Seairi. This action is bitterly resented by the men, and a threat has been made by the leaders to call out the whole body of men employed by that Company. This phase of the question was deliberately discussed at a meeting of the Executive Council held at Cardiff on Monday, which was very largely attended, and while there were not wanting those who demanded the stopping of the whole machinery in the coalfield, others favoured a sectional stoppage. It was ultimately agreed, however, to adjourn the discussion pend- ing a meeting of the Conciliation Board on Wednesday. The following is a copy of the official report furnished to the Press at the close of the meeting — Mr. Alfred Onion'3 supplied the official report to the Press at the close of the conference, and said it was one of the biggest conferences held at Cardiff. No Credentials Committee was appointed, but there were over 300 delegates present. Mr. W. Abraham, M.P., presided, and Mr. W. B race, M.P., occupied the vice- chair, and in the absence of Mr. Thomas Richards, M.P., who was indisposed, Mr. Alfred Onions acted as secretary. The Chairman, in opening the subject, advised the conference to direct its atten- tion to the, business for which it was called together, and said there was a joint meeting of the Conciliation Board to be held on Wednesday next, when the question to be discussed at this confer- ence would come up for consideration, and he had strong hopes that through one of the agencies at its disposal the Con- ciliation Board would find a way of satis- factorily settling the question. He went on to express the opinion that the policy of the owners—the associated owners in the coalfield—appeared to him calculated to bring about a stoppage, and gave instances of their action as evidence- of this contention. He then went oil to give a resume of what had taken place at the Aberaman Colliery from the com- mencement of the dispute there until that day's conference, and finished up, by advising: that there should be complete unity among the workmen in dealing with this matter. A long discussion took place in which Mr. Brace, Mr. W. P. Nicholas, Mr. Stanton and Mr. Onions took part, and it was ultimately moved by Mr. David Lewis, Mountain Ash, iiid6 seconded by Mr. Idris Walters, Abergwynfi — That this conference, having discussed the situation at the Aberaman Colliery created by the Powell Duffryn Com- pany giving the workmen notices to terminate contracts and stopping the collieries, expresses its entire confi- dence in the policy of the leaders as set forth in the manifesto issued to the coalfield, and that in view of the meet- ing of the Conciliation Board on Wed- nesday next this conference stands ad- journed until Monday, March 15th, when a report of the position shall be given and the future policy decided upon. This was carried by an enormous majority. The issue at Aberaman is, however, only a part of the matters in dispute in the coalfield. It is computed that there are already about 10,000 men idle in various ,parts of South Wales through the action of colliery owners in closing down pits which they claim to be unremuner- ative, while the question of a satisfactory wage-rate in abnormal places is also a matter that calls for immediate treat- ment. Coupled with this is the recent declaration of the coalowners that the Eight- Hours Bill, which is about to come into operation, of itself terminals the ve'1 existing agreement governing the con- ditions and wages of the men, which, under ordinary circumstances, would not have run its course until the beginning of next year. It is known that the owners' decision is based on advice given by eminent counsel—Mr. Montague; Lush. K.C.—whilst no less interesting is the announcement made by Mr. W. P. Nicholas, the( Federation solicitor, at the meeting on Monday, that, in the opinion of eminent counsel, whom we are told is no less an authority than Mr. Rufus Isaacs, K.O., consulted by him, the Act does not in any way affect the wage agreement as such, but simply affects certain customs attached to that agree- ment, and that the wage agreement, therefore, should run its normal course without interference. Meanwhile, the coal trade is in a state of alarm that it has not experienced for some years, and it is to be hoped that counsel and moderation will prevail.

Meeting of Cymmeri Workmen.

Reclaiming Lost Women.

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