COAL DISPUTE.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 17880, 28 September 1923, Page 8

COAL DISPUTE.

STATEMENT BY MINE-

OWNERS' SECRETARY.

(SPICIAL TO "'TEX PEESS."} "WELLINGTON, September 27. In the course of an interview to-day in referenoe to the mining trouble, Mr T. O. Bishop, secretory of the Mine Owners' Association, made the following statement with reference to the telegraphed report of the meeting of the State Miners' Union at Runanga on: Wednesday. The statement telegraphed from Grey-1 mouth by the Press Association agent, regarding tlio meeting was evidently 1 inspired by someone interested in the miners' organisation, because no referenoe was made to the rejection of a motion to levy ten per cent, on the State miners' wages for tho support of the n>ca who were out of work as tho result of "go slow" tactics, aa to the amendment that was earned by 66 votes' to 16 in favour of voluntary contributions only. Tho same telegram also states that the men dismissed were only working in accordance with the Coal Mines Act and regulations, implying that prior to the recent stoppage that Act and the regulations had not been observed —an absolute absurdity. The facts are that a ballot was taien by tho Westport mine workers on August 31st on two _ i6suos—"'go slow" or strike—resulting in favour of "go slow." This was held as a threat over the mine owners to induce them to give way to the demands made by the minors' delegates at tbe conference held at Reetton on August 3lst, and on tho Monday following the threat was put into execution, and "go slow-" instituted at the five mines where tho miners now out were working. In regard to tho resolution reported from Wednesday's meeting, Mr Bishop states: It asks the Government to investigate the dispute, but presumably that has already been done, as tho Labour Department's inspectors instituted enquiries directly the mines were closed, but the result has not been made pnblic yet. The facts, as published by myself, have not been contradicted, and do investigation can alter them or bring about any change in the present situation, which is that the mine owners are prepared to reopen tho mines immediately on receipt of intimation fronr •the unions that they are prepared to resume normal working under the award.

APPEAL FOR FINANCIAL AID.

The West Coast Miners' Council, through its secretary, Mr W. Balderstone, has issued an appeal, which is being circulated amongst labour organisations, asking for financial aid for the wives and families of West Coast miners. The names of Messrs J. Mcßride, H. L. Evans, and E. Lock are given as the committee to control tbe relief fund. Mr Mcßride, representing the West Coast miners, addressed a meeting of trade union, secretaries at the Trades' Hall yesterday morning, and outlined the matters in dispute from, the point of view of ths miners. He stated that it was desirable to raise about £2OOO a week to Keep the miners and their families during the period that work would be stopped. A motion was agreed to urging trades unions to sdbsoribe to the relief fund. It was also decided to call a public meeting at whioh the miners' side of the case would be presented. At a meeting of the Plasterers' Union, held on Wednesday evening, the l sum of £2 2s was voted to the relief fund.

THE RUNANGA MEETING.

(press association tbligbam.) WELLINGTON, September 27. From telegrams received in Wellington to-day it appears that the message from Greymouth last night in reference to the meeting of the State Miners' Union regarding financial support to "locked-out men's dependants" does not accurately represent the resolution which was really carried. A motion was . proposed that the miners employed in the State mines pay a ten per cent, levy for the purpose, but this was rejected in favour of an amendment that no levy bo struck, but any moneys subscribed be voluntarily contributed, which was carried by 66 votes to 16,