MINING TROUBLES.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 15767, 7 December 1916, Page 7

MINING TROUBLES.

INCREASED WAGES. AUSTRALIAN DEMAND. (By Cable.—Frees Association.—Copyright.) SYDNEY. December 6. The Council of the Miners' Federation is demanding a conference with tho proprietors not later than this week to discuss increased wages. THE POSITION TN" NEW ZEALAND. SOME ASPECTS OF THE CASE. (SrCCIATj TO "THE TRESS.") WELLINGTON, December G. The coal strike continues to cause somo uneasiness, chiefly as yet among coal-mine owners and big users of coal. Tho Westport men were to have held a meeting to-night to decide their course of action. It is anticipated that they will not strike. Tho Minister of Mines (the Hon. "W. D. S. Mac Donald) had intended to visit tho West Coast, but he has now postponed his visit indefinitely. ' Mr P. C. Webb. M.P., left for the Coast tonight to interview the unions. It is understood that he will advise the men now out to resume work. The only arguments he can possibly use with the ■men aro that they should bo loyal to tho Miners' Federation, and that the present time is not opportune for_ a strike. He is a. rabid anti-conscrip-tionist himself, and he cannot possibly tell tho men that the ground on which they have called tho strike is not in his opinion a good and sufficient ground. Tho continuance of the present 6tate of affairs must be disconcerting to tho community generally. If it could bo hoped that as a result of the pleas of Mr Webb or other persons, the business might be settled finally, tho present reduction of coal supply would not be such a serious matter, but it would bo absurd to hope that if tho men go back to work on Mr Webb's advice, they go back content to put up with conscription. That is certainly not their intention. They go back only to strike again when tho community will be, as they think, less able to resist them. The production of coal on the West Coast is now 30 per cent, less than it was a few weeks- ago and less than the Dominion's consumption. Tho miners., by their decision that no man shall earn more than 17s 6d a day, when at tho hewing rates they can readily earn 20s or 23s a day, have increased the risk to the community of a serious coal shortage. These aspects of the coal difficulty have been the subject of somo anxious thoughts on the part of people vitally concerned. It is understood also that the Government has had its attention drawn to the danger. It is very unlikely, in view of all the circumstances, that if the miners do not resume work next weok things will still be allowed to drift. It is suggested that the Government may have to take over the whole coal output and control the distribution of it, to ensure that shipping and essential industries shall bo supplied. There are no doubt difficulties about carrying out this proposal, but the fact that it is being suggested shows how the present state of things is viewed by people most affected. THE RTJNANGA AND BLACKBALL MEN. (PRESS ASSOCIATION" "TELEGRAM.) GREYMOTJTH, December 6. A delegate from the Runanga Miners' Union visited Blackball to-day, and at a meeting tho men decided to bold no more meetings until Sunday. The position is unaltered.