TROUBLE AT THE STATE COAL

Evening Post, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 120, 17 November 1909, Page 8

TROUBLE AT THE STATE COAL

STATEMENT, BY THE MANAGER. NO PROSPECT OF A .STRIKE. [bt telkgraph. — rnnss association.] GREYMOUTH, 16lh No\ ember. In connection with the trouble at tho .State coal mine, tho manager, Mr. Bishop, on being interviewed, said there was no prospect of a strike, and the rumours were unfounded. The miners were in conferenco with him over a new agreement, and had not arrived, at -aify conclusion yet. In changing the bystem of working tho mino there must necessarily be some give-and-take, and If tho miners wanted the trucking done they should agree to a slight reduction in the hewage rate. It was foolish to talk of a strike at the present time, as the miners wore working xuider the old agreement, which foil out on 29th June, 1909, but the award states that it shall lcmain in force until another agreement has been arrived at to take its place. Mr. Bishop said he was hopeful of being able to arrange matters amicably with the miners. They had worked in harmony for tho past six years, and there was every reason to believe they would continue* to do so. The hewing rate reduction proposal of threepence per ton is not hard and fast, and some modification might be made. Tho conference will bo resumed in tho morning, and the prospects, of a mutual understanding are bright. POSITION UNALTERED. • A CONFERENCE IHIS AFTERNOON. (BY IELEGEAPII — SPECIAL TO THE POST.] GREYMOUTH. Thi F Day. Tho position at the State Collieries remains unaltered. A ronfeiohco of parties is to be held this afternoon.