HELD UP.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 121, 24 May 1932, Page 3

HELD UP.

COAL CONFERENCE. OWNERS' ULTIMATUM. BIGHT TO SHORTEN STAFF. UNION" LEADERS CONSIDERING. An ultimatum issued by the Cwal Mine Owners' Association caused-a holdup of the conference between that body and the Northern Coal Miners' Association this morning. The conference between the two bodies was set down for 10 o'clock, but tlic owners did not meet the men until nearer eleven, when it was announced that they would not proceed with the conference until tlio unions hacl agreed that the managers of mines should, at their discretion, liave tlie right to shorten hands at any mine. The representatives of the miners adjourned to consider the ultimatum and after a discussion which lasted an hour and a half, it was stated that they considered they had proposals which were likely to be accepted by the owners. The conference was to be continued at 2 o'clock.

Thirty-eight clauses arc contained ;n the proposed new general agreement. Wages are the main concern of the men, who wish to retain the old conditions. Tlicy object to most of the clauses. The following are representing the Coal Mine Owners' Association: —Colonel W. D. Holgate, president, Sir Edwin Mitclielson, Messrs. H. Gilfillan, L. J. Stevens, .T. Makinson and A. G. Lunn (Hikurangi); E. S. Wight, J. C'atchpole, J. W. Bailey, A. Burt (Pukcmiro); H. R. Mackenzie, T. L. Andrews, F. Brook-Taylor (Kenown); W. Goodfellow, P. Hunter (Glen Aftoil); W. J. Ralph, Hon. E. W. Alison, J. Watson (Taupiri)j and T. O. Bishop, secretary of the association. The men representing the Northern Coal Mine Workers' Union arc: —Messrs. R. Roberts, chairman (Rotowaro), W. Davison, secretary of the Northern Miners' Union, D. Partis (Rotowaro), A. Robinson (Pukcmiro), W. Hodge (Pukemiro), T. Bougher (Glen Afton), A. Webster (Glen Afton), J. Green (McDonald), R. Crump (McDonald), T. Stephenson (Renown), A. McKay (Renown), A. Gilbert (Glen Masscy), T. Lees (Glen Masscy), C. Latham (Hikurangi), T. Dunn (Hikurangi), and A. McLaglan, national secretary of the United Mine Workers of New Zealand.

When the owners met the representatives of the miners at the Takapuna Jockey Club's rooms this morning, Colonel Hoigate intimated that the owners would not proceed with the conference until the unions agreed that the manager of a mine should have the right to shorten hands at a mine at his own discretion. No agreement on this point could be reached, and the miners' representatives retired to their hotel about 11.30 to deliberate.