TAUPIRI COAL MINES.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVIII, Issue 138, 11 June 1917, Page 6

TAUPIRI COAL MINES.

CONCILIATION COUNCIL SITTING. DISPUTE FILED BY COMPANY. A fitting of the Conciliation Council took place this morning to deal with a dispute liled by the Taupiri foal Mines Company, Ltd., against the Taupiri Coal Miners' Union. Tlir Commissioner, Mr. T. Harle Giles, presided. The assessors for the company were Messrs. E. W. Alison, \V. J. Ralph, and George Winetone. The assessors for the union were Messrs. Win. J. .Jones. Joseph O'Brien, and R. L. Roberts. The demand of the company was for a renewal of the industrial "agreement between the parties, which expired on December 19, 101H, embodying certain modifications in the terms thereof, agreed to during the currency of the agreement. One clauee roads "That the union will not, as a union, take part in, reeognke, aid, abet, or in any way promote or assist a strike until a secret ballot has been taken of all financial members, and the consent of at least four-fifths of such members has been given." The company, on its part, undertook as far as possible to keep the mine going, and in the event of a lock-out, to pay the union £50 per day while such lock-out continued. The union oounter-proposale included ft. good deal of the former agreement. The hours asked are from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., bank to bank. But subject to the approval of the executive of the union and the manager of the company, these hours may be varied, and should necessity arise through accident, the company 6hall have the right to work double shift. Mr. Giles said he was glad to meet those present after the turmoil and troubles had gone by. He trusted they had come to the haven of rest, the true place for employers and workers to meet together, and discuss their grievances and arrive at an amicable settlement. Some discussion arose upon the question of going into committee, Mr. O'Brien remarking that the union had a good case. Mr. Alison also remarked that the employers had no objection to the Press being present. Ultimately, however, the Council went into committee.