STATE COAL MINERS.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 17393, 2 March 1922, Page 6

STATE COAL MINERS.

DISPUTE BEFORE CONCILIATION COUNCIL.

(SHOIAI TO "THE PRESS,")

GREYMOUTH, March 1

Mr W. Newton. Conciliation Commissioner presided to-day at a conference between representatives of the State Miner's Union and the State Mines Department at . which proposals for a new agreement w«re submitted by the union and counter proposals by the Department wore considered. Hie Department was represented by Messrs A. James (General Manager State Mines), J. C. Brown and J. A. C. Bayne. Mr Kimball (Under-Secretary of Mines) was also present For the Union, Messrs J. F. Pattinson (president of the State Miners Union), W. Anderson (secretary of the Union), and W. Power appeared. Mr Newton said he hoped, that the parties would come to an agreement on all points. The States mines were the only mines now working under the old agreement. , Mr Pattinson said he and his colleagues had c&rae with every intention of securing an agreement. He regretted that the personnel of the opposite party was not more representative of the Department. The Union's asses* sors were ready to co-operate. Consideration of terms was preceded by a discussion as to what effect the decisions of the Conference would have. It was agreed to adopt the usual procedure of the Council of Conciliation, and put such clauses as were agreed upon into operation, and forward the others to the Arbitration Court.

The sitting lasted all day. Various clauses were agreed to and others 'were referred to the Court. The atmosphere was amicable throughout.