COAL MINERS AGAIN

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3117, 22 June 1917, Page 4

COAL MINERS AGAIN

INTERVIEW WITH MINISTER, Tho Acting-Prime Minister (Sir James Allen) had an interview yesterday with rcpresentutves of tho Coal Miners' Federation. Ono of the requests the niinevs made was for tho renewal of tho exemption, withdrawn from certain miners. Homo of tho miners who went on strike had previously been balloted, iind given exemption while they remained at work in the mines. When their cases wero brought beforo tho military servico boards their appeals were disallowed becauso tho men had left their industry. At that time Sir James Allen's decision wag that the men must como up for medical examination, and it would then be decided what should be dono with them. Yesterday Sir James told the minors' delegates that as the industry was essential all those who had come up for medical examination would be allotted as soldiers to the coal mining industry, on the understanding that they must remain in the industry. Tho delegates spoko to the Minister also of a grievance they hayo nlxrat tho difficulty of settling local disputes. At present there was too much delays They brought an Australian minor, who told the Minister of the methods adopted in Australia, where there wae a board, consisting of a Judge and two assessors, to hear and determine disputes. Sir James Allen promised to submit the request to the Minister of Labour and the Minister of Mines.