MINERS' STRIKE.

Press, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20572, 14 June 1932, Page 12

MINERS' STRIKE.

INTERVENTION DESIRED.

MINISTER APPROACHED.

IPB.BSB ABSOCUTIOir TBLHOBAM.)

GBEYMOTJTH, Juno 13. The ■ coal position is unaltered. All the union mines remain idle.

Mr W. Purdy, secretary of the "West Coast Miners' Council, said the indications were that the owners did not desire a conference, but only to impose their demands, whllßt the Government apparently was shelving the issue regarding a conference which he considered the public, as well aB the miners, favoured.

"The employers evidently would bleed us white," he declared, "as the attitude they adopt is calculated to drivo the miners into a position where they cannot negotiate. If they will not meet the West Coast Council we will confer with the owners either at Huntly, Southland or here, but we believe that the West Coast is the proper place for a conference, the other districts in the meantime working, like the ■ Coast, under the old agreerrient.'' The following telegrams were forwarded to-day by Mr Purdy:— To the Hon. C. E. Macmillan, Minister for Mines: "The conciliatory attitude of the miners is evidently not appreciated by the Government, who remain indifferent. The miners and the public request Government intervention."

To the Bt. Hon. G. W. Forbes, Prime Minister: "The miners request that the Government should assist in the arrangement of an unconditional conference for discussion of the new agreement.'' Mr. Macmillan replied as follows: — "Replying to your telegram to-day; I am advised that the coalmine-owners agreed several weeks ago to confer with representatives of the V/est Coast Coalminers' Unions, and I have no doubt that such conference will be held at a convenient date, as there id no dispute between the West Coast coalmine-own-ers and the unions. I recommend you to urge the unions to resume work under the existing conditions in the interests of all concerned, and in view of the conciliatory attitude of the miners, I hope the suggestion' will be carried out."

Mr Forbes replied that he was conferring with Mr' Macmillan regarding the-miners' representations for an unconditional conference. It is understood that the New Zea? land Miners' Association has cabled to Great Britain for financial assistance in case a conference should be refused and a prolonged stoppage result.

A NEW AGREEMENT.

ACCEPTANCE REFUSED AT

HUNTLY,

(muss assocxatio*

HAMILTON, June 13,

A mass meeting of miners at Huntly decided to remain firm on the lockout question, and refuse to accept the new agreement offered by the owners. ■ It is understood that a resolution was passed at a meeting, but it will not bo released for publication until confirmed at further meetings at Rotowaro, Renown, Pukemiro, and Glen Afton.

OPINION IN WESTPORT.

PRIS* JkSSOCIJLTIO* tiitosiv.)

WESTPOET, June 13,

The position regarding the coal crisis is unchangedr There are approximately 2000 tons of coal in the railway yards with the co-operative mines still working and coal also being drawn front the companies' bins. # _ There if quite a volume of opinion here, that tlie Government, in the interests of the third party, the general public, should intervene with a view to effecting a speedy settlement of tho dispute.

LABOUR PARTY'S. DESIRE

(ri'.Ess association mi.kob.vK.)

WELLINGTON, June 13.

Replying to Mr T. C. Bishop'# denial that the owners had refused to confer with the miners about the new proposals, the national executive of the New Zealand Labour Party says that thero is apparently some conflict between the mine-owtoers' themselves and Mf Bishop. The main point of the Labour Party's statement was that a conference should be held to discuss all problems without entering into a controversy as to the question of rationing work, niinimilm wages and balloting to determine who is to stand down. The Labour Party's point was that th<» conference should bo held at once, and that every question relative to employin6nt in the mihiug industry should be the subject of discussion and negotiation at the conference. The Labour Party urgod that, in the public, interest, either the Government or the minc-ownors should call an unconditional conference at once*