THE COAL CRISIS.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIX, Issue 207, 30 August 1918, Page 4

THE COAL CRISIS.

A CONFERENCE PROBABLE. ACREED TO BJ* OWNERS. A conference between the Coal Owners' Association and the Miners' Federation is expected. The executive for the owners, after discussion in Wellingtons , having agreed to that course. Hitherto the owners declined to recognise the Federation, but offered to confer with the individual unions. Evidently something has occurred, between their executive and Cabinet, during the few days past, which has caused this change. The miners are asking a twenty, nor cent increase in wage*. Jt may be that ■a compromise will lie effected. The owners still hold to their offer of art encouragement bonus for all men who work regular full time, hut this hajs been neglected by the Federation, which has the idea that it i» a "speeding up* system. In the event of any increase in wage* being granted to the miners it k verf probable that the cost of coal to the public will increase immediately, tt a the opinion of many people, 100, that other workers will use this as a precedent and claim also an increase in wagfe. Should the conference come to no agreement the dispute rtill will be unBcttled, and more delay yet will he cS- . pected. HrKTRAXGt Mines idle. Advices from rlikiirangi rtate that, though it was understood the minere them were Koing to meet yesterday and return to work immediately afterwards, the men met at the pit-head and decided by 26 votes to 23 against doing any more work that day. Accordingly they remained idle, but returned to work as tfeual for the night shift.

MEN'S DECISION AWAITED.

By Telegraph—Press Association.) j WELLINGTON", this day. The coal) ownere have agreed to meet the men in conference, and a reply frox the miners is expected this evening. ).r U undcretood one of the conditions «' that the men shall resume work at jnee.

SUPPORT FOR CONFERENCE.

(By Telegraph—Press Association.) WANGANUI, Thursday.. Tlir following resolution was passed by a meeting of the Wanganui branch of the A.fsß.f?., last night: "That, we are in full sympathy with the request of the Miners' Union for a conference (with the mine owners, and we urge thp Government, in the interests of the people, to use.its full powers and force a conference between the disputing parties." • — — '.'.

CONFERENCE AND COMMISSION

(By Telegraph.—Special to "Star.")' WELLINGTON", Thursday. J . It is now becoming evident that the Government has induced tho coal nlinft owners to accept a conference with the minors' loaders, which the mining federation lias been requesting for several iveeks. The coal ownere arc fully alivp to the serious national issues at stake over the maintenance of the coal output, and have, [ understand, promised to concede the disputed point of a conference on condition that all miriei resume work. Thus the prospects of a. peaceful settlement have greitljr im proved. There is to be a commission of inquiry as well as a conference of tli6 two parties to the. dispute. The high price of coal has caused much dissatisfaction to consumers, who have been greatly hustled, and perturbed over the miners' allegations of profit mongering. Therefore there Is to be a separate investigation of this aspect of the question to satisfy the minds of the public., who, skys the Hon. W. D. S. Mac Donald, Minister for Mines, have exercised great patience, und have the right to knjsfr the position. Aβ the Board of Trade has other important works in hand, th> Government niay utilise its power to delegate this duty to some other persons appointed as a Commission of Inquiry under the Cost of Living Act.

PRODUCTION, DISTRIBUTION.

THE PROPOSED RfQI"IRST. It was stated recently, on the authority of the Acting-Prime Minister (Sir -lames Allen) that vhe Government' had determined to institute an int|l !ry Under Sections 7 and S of tli > Cost, fff Living Act into the cost o! prodiiiiion of coal and of its distribution.' , ...The reference to -the ''ost c f Living Act—the Act under. which tlio Beard of TnUle was constituted —i= ?o ivvo clauses which give to the Board of Trade power to delegate their authority Tor tiie purpose of any particular inquiry to other persons. In this case it will certainly not be considered that the Board of Trade could conduct the inquiry satisfactorily, and the body io make that investigation will consist in whole or in part of men who have a. clo*e acquaintance with the coal business at come point. This clause in the Cost of Living Act had probably been overlooked when the first mention via made of Royal Commission. The effect of this inquiry by another body not constituted a Royal Commission will be much the same as would have been an inquiry by. Royal Commission.