THE COAL STRIKES

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 289, 26 August 1918, Page 4

THE COAL STRIKES

RESUMPTION OF WORK PROBABLE. The facts of the coal mines troublo on Saturday morning have not been altered by anything that has happened in the meantime. Tho chances are good that the men now on strike will go back to work on Monday or Tuesday, but no news about this will be valuable until the mines have actually opened, and tho men havo gone below their alloted tasks. And until the mine owners have met on Wednesday nothing more can be said about what they are likely to do. At 7jresent the probabilities seem to be that they .will recognise tho Royal Commission, and take steps to see that their sido of the points to bo investigated is put before the inquiry. The shortest way out for flio owners would bo to agree to a conference, but as they have already refused a conference for reasons which' still hold good, they will pic.bably_ prefer this other method of discussing whother the minors Jeservo more money or not.

Thero was n report in Wellington on Saturday that tlio miners in the Waiknto iiclds were to havo- held a mass meeting on that day, but no hows has been received as to whether tlio meeting was held, or as to the outcomn of it.

FORECAST OF OWNERS' ATTITUDE. '

By Telegraph— Press Association. Cliristchlirch, August; 21

Mr. William Roocp, chairman of directors of the AVostpurt-Stockton colliory, informod an interviewer that no decision bad been arrived at in I'egard to' tlio Government's offer to set up- a Royal Commission to inquire into the coai trouble. A conformity of niincowners would be lield in Wellington on Wednesday, when tbo whole matter would be discussed. If times were normal ho would have little-hesitation in forecasting that owners would remain iirm, but war considerations might in{luoneo a majority to agree to a course of action which they would otherwise' strongly oppose.