THE COAL DISPUTE

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 118, 12 February 1920, Page 5

THE COAL DISPUTE

NEW CONFERENCE SITTING

MR. MASSEY IN THE CHAIR

A conference arranged by the Prime Minister to consider the coal dispute met yesterday afternoon. Mr. Massey had suggested that four representatives of tho Coal Mine Owners' Association nnd four representatives of the Federation should meet him. The actual number of delegates was substantially larger. Mr. Massey presided. . The conference decided, after discussion, that the proceedings should not bo open to the Press. Arrangements had been made for an official report for tho ■use of the Government and tho parties.

The mine owners jvero represented by Mr. AV. Reece (AVestport-Stockton), Hon. E. TV. Alison (Taupiri), Messrs. A. Mlvellar (Blackball), E. S._ Wright (Pukemiro), J. I). Douglas (Hikurangi), J. A. 0. Bayne.(Paparoa), H. D. Vickery (Waipai J. Watson (Blackball), and AY. Pryor (secretary (o the Coal Mine Owners' Association).

The delegates of the Miners' Federation were Messrs. P. O'Rourke (president)! .T. M'Bride (vice-president), J. .T. Arbusklo (secretary), J. .Tones (North Island), P. Niven (East Coast of South Island), R. Spencer (Grey), A. Toseland (Buller), and A. Pipe (Waihi gold miners!).

Tho conference sat for some hours and adjourned until to-day. The Prime Minister informed a Dominion reporter that tho discussion had proceeded in a friendly way, but was likely to be prolonged.

"GO-SLOAV" DROPPED IN SOUTHLAND. . .

Br. Telegrsph—Press .A»inpiail<w Invercargill, February 11. As the result of negotiations which have been proceeding for some time between the mine owners and the miners in the Nightcaps, AVairio. and Olini districts, the, "go-slow" policy has been settled and work , was started in full swing on Monday morning.. It is understood that the men secured a very substnntial increaso in wages, and as a result the price of coal to the public has been increased bv 3s. 4d. per ton.