[Special to Press Association.! LONDON, August 2. ( The coalmine owners are offering to negotiate for a compromise. The miners have issued a manifesto stating that their average wages only amount to eightpence per hour, and that they have never shared in high prices when times were good. The strikers at Dewsbury attacked the working miners. The police were called in, and daring the affray several of them were injured.
[Per Pbbhb Association.} WELLINGTON, August 2. The opinion of members of the local Seamen's Union who are employed by the Union Company is not unfavourable to the £1 reduction announced by the Company, but they strongly object to compulsory joining of the Company's Benefit Society. The reduction was not altogether without anticipation. A circular was issued to members of the Union, and the result is to accept the reduction of £1, if compulsory ; joining of the society mentioned is not en forced. It is probable that a conference will be arranged with the Union Company's officials. Exception is taken to the laßt paragraph of the Union Company's circular, the opinion of the men being that in the event of revival of trade the present rate of wages should be reinstated. At a large meeting of employers to night, it was decided to wait on the Minister for Labour protesting against compulsory closing on Saturday afternoon as provided in the Shop Hours Bill. A petition against the clause ia in circula tion, and in a few hours one hundred names were attached.
