From The Times: April 13, 1921
The conference is still in being, and this fact is the great thing and accordingly last night the Triple Alliance decided on a further postponement of the threatened strike. Instructions were issued to all railwaymen and transport workers to continue work until further notice. It is a very wise decision, and one by which the miners will lose nothing. We do not think that the terms offered them are so good as they might and ought to be, and we believe that if they have patience and trust the public sense of fair play they will get something nearer to their desire. But the one thing that would effectually put them out of court in the eyes of the public and set every one against them is this insane project of bringing the economic life of the country to a standstill at the present juncture. There is nothing to be gained by that road, and everything to be lost. The postponement is a sort of progress but there was otherwise no visible advance towards agreement. The main business of the day was the discussion of proposals put forward by the Government. In this offer they adopt the owners’ view of the national pool demanded by the miners. They do not think it feasible without complete and permanent control by the State, which would suppress the incentive to production and increase cost. What they offer is a standard wage for each district, to take priority of profits and to be determined nationally, the amount for each district to be discussed at the present conference. They also refer to the conference the question of the relation between the standard wage and the standard profit, together with the division of the surplus profits, without suggesting any amendment of the owners’ proposals. Finally, the Government offer to give temporary financial assistance to ease the steep reduction of wages in districts most severely affected. These proposals were the subject of a lengthy discussion. In the evening the miners rejected the offer. It is on the issue of wage settlement on a national or district basis that negotiations between owners and miners broke down previously, and both sides appear immovable still. The miners insist on a national basis, with pooling of profits and wages; the owners adhere to the district plan.