MINERS' DISPUTE

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 17222, 12 August 1921, Page 6

MINERS' DISPUTE

MEN REITERATE REQUEST FOR NATIONAL AGREEMENT.

(PIHSSS A6IOCWTIOS TKJtQBAH.)

WELLINGTON, August 11. In the course of a letter forwarded to the acting-secretary of the Mine Owners' Association, Mr J Arouckle, eecretary of the Miners' Federation, repeats his request for a conference between representatives of the owners and the Federation for the purpose of making a new national agreement to govern conditions of work in the coalmining industry. On behalf of the Federation, Mr Arbucklo reiterates that the miners are averse to entering into local agreements, as suggested by the owners. Mr Arbuckle's fetter conchides: "You again suggest a meeting between your president and youyselt along with the president and secretary of our organisation, and that it is purely for the purpose of clearing away any misunderstanding as far as local agreements are concerned. If you are prepared to meet us to consider reasons why the national agreement should not remain in force, then we will be only too pleased to meet you on these grounds, but the miners of this country fully understand their position, and the meaning of sectional agreements, therefore there i? no misunderstanding as far as we are concerned, and.l must reiterate my former statement that such a meeting as suggested by you would be fruitless, and serve no good purpose. I again repeat the request for a conference to settle the present unrest in the mining industry by entering into a national agreement for a further term." An application by the oonJ-mmc owners for a local agreement relating to the mines in the Westlnnd district has been set down for hearing by the Council of Conoilintion at Reefton on August 16th. Mr W. Newton, Concretion Commissioner, left Wellington tonight to preside over the meeting.