THE COAL TROUBLE

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3068, 2 May 1917, Page 6

THE COAL TROUBLE

"GO-SLOW" STRIKERS

SENTENCES TO BE REMITTED

STATEMENT BY ACTING-PREMIER

The most important new fact in the coal mines trouble yesterday was the announcement-by the Government that tho sentences imposed by tjie Magistrate in Auckland on the men convicted under the War Regulations of complicity in the slow-work movement were to be romitted, and that the men were to be released. It will be remembered that one of tho clauses of the agreement made with the union delegates by the two Ministers who visited the West- Coast to consult with the strikers was as follows: — ■ "If any proceedings take place the Government will not press for penalties." This undertaking was fulfilled when tho cases were before the Court in Auckland, but tho Magistrate did not consider that be was at liberty to take cognisance of an agreement of the sort, and ho sentenced the men to-' terms of imprisonment. The Government, however, is now remitting penalties actually imposed. No mention of any suqh promise to do this has ever been made.

After the meeting nf Cabinet yesterday, at which .the matter was dealt with, the Aoting-l'ri'mc Minister made the-following statement setting forth the Government's intentions, and their reasons for their proposed course of action: — ■ "Tlie Government has decided to ask the Minister of Justice to advise His Excellency the Governor to remit the sentence of the men who were yesterday convicted by the Magistrate jn Auckland and sentenced to imprisonment. "Tho Acting-Prime Minister and the Hon. Mr. Mac Donald" during a reoorit visit to the West Coast, met delegates from the various Coal Miners Unions and enrae to an -understanding with them that the coal miners would go hack to work; abandon opposition do the Military Service Act, ana cease the 'go-slow' policy. The delegates were informed that the Ministers would arrange a conference between the mineowners and their employees within a fortnight, and that the Government would not press for a penalty in Ui° case of men. who had been arrested on account of the 'go-slow' policy. ,: it was made clear to the delegates that if- ttiej did not settle with their employers at the conference, the coal miners must not look to tue members of the Government as a moans lor furtuet consideration. It was also made clear that the Government could not and would not interfere with the Uourts or Juscice,- ami that the trial ot the men must proceed. In view of statements maou by some of the dole gates that tho arrested men were not leaders .in advocating 'go-slow , , indeed that some expressed disapproval thereof, auu that the men wero forced by otliera to take action whicli leu to their arrest, the Ministers agreed that tue Government would not press ior a. penalty, it was, nowevcr, pointed out to .the delegates that Me arrasied men should have resigned ratlier than allow t-iieinselves to be lorced to adopt a policy they did not approve of. "The Government has carried out the understanding entered into by the two delegates to the lull* The legal representative of the Crown put tue position before the Magistrate and seated that the Uoveriiiuent did not press lor a penalty, and suggested the hearing bo adjourned under elections S6 and 8/ of the Justices of the Peace Act for a fortnight, woen furtlier application can be made lor a further adjournment if matters are generally sacisiactory, or an application, may. bo mado Tor tue linal disposal of the cases; the- men vo bo released in the meantime, lie further stated that he was instructed to make clear Unit the Government recognises that, in making sucli 'arrangement as lie had' indicated had been mado with the miners, it had no power in any way'to bind or even to influence the Court in tho exercise of its judicial discretion, and tho iTuest-ion of wliouier tho Court could grant it was a matter entirely lor tuo Magistrate. The Magistrate quite properly stated that it was'his duty to administer justice apart from all other considerations, and 'sentenced the men. . "The -Government realise that "at j least one breach of the arrangement has since been made by one section of the coal miners, but; consider that as there may be in the minds of the delegates and the coal miners, and perhaps the general public, a feeling from tho coal miners' point of view that tho spirit of the arrangement is not being carried out, the best, policy is to remove. all doubt and suspicion and distrust. Tho Government has therefore decided to ask for remission of sentence imposed yesterday in Auckland. Tho coal miners will, 1 feel sure, understand that- tho Government has more than carried ont its promise.

"In entering into the arrangement at the conference with <'elegates, Ministers were influenced by the gravity of the general situation dairing a time of war. It was necessary that transports should bo coaled and that reinforcements should be dispatched to the front regularly and with expedition. It was likewise of vital importance that vessels carrying produce- and food supplies for England should sail from our ports as speedily as possible. A continuance of the strike meant serious dislocation, perhaps the complete cessation, of business in the country, The stoppage of railway services, tramways, shipping, lighting, and probably freezing works, in which thousands of pounds of produce were stored, not to mention distrees and inconvenience which the public generally would suffer through a continuance of the stoppage of coal supplies. As a result of the action that the Government has taken a serious calamity has probably been averted, and it is a matter of satislaction to know that to-day our ports are bein"- worked and that the coal-mining' industry is again in full operation."