HERE'S what was making headlines in the Argus 100 years ago today, March 9, 1920:

Peace restored

Recent stoppage at Waunlwyd

Satisfactory explanations

Men object to being called Bolsheviks

The value of the Ebbw Wale Joint Industrial Conference in the settlement of labour troubles in connection with the various departments of the great iron, steel and coal undertaking, was again exemplified in the case of the recent stoppage at No. 1 pit Waunlwyd. At the meeting of the conference, Mr John, the colliery manager, reporting on the stoppage, said: “There was a dispute among a certain section of the hauliers as to the contract rate. On the previous day the rate had been agreed to by the management and the representatives of the workmen, but when the hauliers appeared on the top of the pit the following morning they refused to go down.

Mr Mills: “Just when I am telling the ‘Daily Mail’ we never have any stoppages!!

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Mr John: “I would like to know what Mr Evan Davies has to say about it.”

Mr Evan Davies: “I have just this to say, that so far as I know, there was not justification for the stoppage, but a few key men, who are too cantankerous, held the key of the situation. All the colliers were down the pit, but someone told me the manager called them Bolsheviks, and they did not intend to work under that stigma. We want to get ourselves above that, and we are not prepared to be classed as Bolsheviks. I do not think the stoppage was justified for a moment in the slightest degree.”

Mr Mills: “I am glad to hear you say that.”

Mr Evan Davies: “I don’t think there would have been a stoppage if the Committee just had attended at work on the morning following the making of the arrangement. They would have prevailed upon these men to go to work, but unfortunately the Committee men didn’t turn up for some reason or other, and now we are going to ask you, if you will, to overlook that stoppage at Waunlwyd”

Mr Mills: “Well, as far as I am concerned, I am satisfied with your expression that the stoppage ought not to have taken place, and that so far as you are concerned you will use all the means at your disposal to obviate similar stoppages in the future.”

Mr Evan Davies: “We are going to ask you, if you will, to use your good office to prevent anything resulting from that stoppage.”

Mr John: “We have had so many disappointments, Mr Davies.”

Mr Evan Davies: “We are improving Mr John. We have gone on for a long time now without any stoppages, and surely you can overlook one little black spot that comes on the map now and again, but if you are going to get your pound of flesh I feel it will not assist me very much in promising that good relationship with the men, which we desire to see in this district.”

Mr Mills: “We will take your request into consideration, Mr Evan Davies. In the meantime, as far as that particular stoppage is concerned, I think it is quite inconsistent, and after all it is pretty well all, we can duly carry the recognised trade union official with it.”