COAL CONFERENCE.

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 187, 8 August 1919, Page 7

COAL CONFERENCE.

COMMITTEE APPOINTED. TO DISCUSS DISPUTE. 2OXE FOB EACH SIDE. FULL AND FREE DISCUSSION, <By Telegraph.—OPress Association.) WELLINGTON. Thursday. The committee of seven, including the Government representative, which -was set up yesterday by the conference of coal mine owners, and the Miners' Federation, sat most ol to-day. The conference was resumed shortly after 4 p.m., under the presidency of Mr. W. Recce, to receive the committee's report, which was as follows:—The •committee recommends:— (1) That a committee of nine members from each side be appointed and empowered to discuss a complete working agreement for the coal mining industry of New Zetland on the lines of the present agreements, with such additional matter as the committee may consider necessary. (2j That the fullest and freest discuss»i» ehall lie allowed, in order that a satisfactory -agreement may be arrived at on the lines suggested in clause 1. (3) That the agreement arrived at by the committee be subject to ratification by the Mine Owners' Association and by the Coal Miners' Federation. The report was adopted without discussion. It was agreed that Mr. Recce should be chairman of the larger committee. The conference was adjourned sine die. It will-probably meet to receive the report of this committee. It is understood some little trouble occurred to-day on account of the men in -Uie Blackball pit laving adopted a " go-slow" policy. It is understood that the trouble was on account of the treatment Iby the management of a boy, and possibly the dismissal of the boy.* The cause of the complaint on "the part of the ownere was that the matter was one which should have been referred to a local Disputes Committee before any action ■•was taken by the men at the nine. The difference was settled in the course of the day by the committee jrhich was sitting.