COAL MINE DEADLOCK.

Auckland Star, Issue LI, 3 February 1920, Page 8

COAL MINE DEADLOCK.

SOLUTION WANTED.

PROPOSAL BY MR. G-fX'SOX.

The situation in reg-ard.to the shortage of coal is steadily becoming more serious, and, with a view to the removal of the deadlock at present existing between tin* coal miners and the owners, the Mayor CMr. .1. H. Gunson) telegraphed to the Prime Minister yesterday afternoon as follows:—

"I beg to suggp-t for your consideration that the following bo submitted to the parties concerned for an immediate settlement of the coal miners" dispute: —

~('l) The coal miners' demands as to wages and conditions to be referred to a special tribunal of five members, whose decision ehall be accepted by both miners and owners.

"(2) The special tribunal shall consist of two persons appointed by the miner-, and two persons appointed by the owners, none of whom shall have been directly concerned in the dispcte. These shall appoint a fifth member, who shall be chairman, and, if tier fail to make such appointment, the Government shall appoint such fifth member, who shall not have been directly concerned in the dispute. The Government shall defray the cost.

"(3) The coal miners to abandon the 'jro-slow' policy, and forthwith produce the maximum output.

'•This would overcome the difficulties facing the Government, the owner*, and the miners. The position in Auckland is such that I trust the matter may be arranged immediately."'

Referring to this, Mr.. Gunson etated that it was clear that the policy of drift could not continue long. He know it was generally stated that the sooner we became involved in a big strike the better for all conoerned, but he Mid not take that view. He Tield that if these questions dealt with sanely and efficiently there need be no big strike. More and more recognition was being , given to the fact that strikes were not in the best interests of the men themselves, and that they were disastrous to industry. The use of the etrike as a weapon was deprecated by the great unions in the United States and England at the present time. On the other hand the go-slow polioy should not have been tolerated in Kew Zealand as long as it had, as this wae a form of strike in the worst sense. The position was still such a* could be dealt with by tbe country, (for the miners yinderetod quite clearly that they could not ootain impossible conditions, and the sooner they faced the position as reasonable men the better it would be. not only for the Dominion, but for the miners themselves. Matters had reached a stage where the Government alone could effect a remedy. If the trouble were arrested now the gravity of the results would be infinitesimal compared with what they would he if the policy of drift were allowed to continue. iA. settlement must be effected sooner or later. This was obvious, and if so why not now?