COAL MINES STRIKE.

Auckland Star, Volume LV, Issue 169, 18 July 1924, Page 4

COAL MINES STRIKE.

TROUBLE AT NIGHTCAPS. AN ABORTIVE CONFERENCE. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) IKVERCAKGILL, this day. A conference between representatives of the Mineowners' Association and the Miners' Union, held at Nightcaps, failed to reach agreement in connection with the strike there, and the miners still remain out. After proceedings had been in session over three hours, the union claims were reduced to five, viz.: (1) charge for electric detonators; (2) difference between solid rates and pillar rates at all local mines; (3) solid rates at Linton mine; (4) interpretation of clause 30 of the award, which deals with truckins:; (5) provision for payment for time lost by any man who is forced to vacate a working place on account of trouble with ventilation, or from any other cause, unless other work be found for him. The owners agreed to discuss Nos. 1, 2, and 4 of these matters, but they declined to reopen the question of solid tonnage rates, on the grounds that these had been agreed upon in April. In reprard to No. 5, they stated that, while they could not agree to embody the suggested scheme in an award, they would undertake to deal fairly on its merits with any case which might ariee. The deadlock therefore remains.