COAL STRIKE IN NORTH

Dominion, Volume 25, Issue 232, 27 June 1932, Page 10

COAL STRIKE IN NORTH

Conference at Auckland MEETING TO-MORROW By Telegraph.—Press Association. Auckland, June 26. Arrangements were finalised during the week-end for the holding of a conference in Auckland on Tuesday between the Waikato and Hikurangi miners and the coal owners. The following telegram was received by Mr. W. Davison, secretary of the Northern Miners’ District Council, from Mr. T. O. Bishop, secretary of the New Zealand Coal Mine Owners* Asso•iation: “If your union can give a definite assurance that the Hikurangi branch of the union will accept and abide by any agreement reached at the conference as to the engagement and dismissal of the men, the owners will arrange a conference in Auckland on Tuesday, resumption of work to be postponed until after the conference.” Mr. Bishop’s message was immediate>ly referred to the Hikurangi Miners’ Union, whose secretary, Mr. C._ A. Latham, replied as follows : “My union will stand by majority rule provided it is endorsed by the Waikato mine workers.”

On Saturday night Mr. Davison received the following telegram from Mr. Bishop: “I.am informed by Mr. A. McLagan, secretary of the Federation of Miners’ Union, that the conference has been accepted as proposed in my telegram to you. I am therefore arranging a conference to take place on Tuesday in Auckland.”

“It was stated by union officials today that the Glen Afton, Pukemiro, McDonald, Rotowaro, Renown and Hikurangi branches of the union will be represented at the conference.