EXTRA EDITION.

Evening Post, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 121, 18 November 1909, Page 8

EXTRA EDITION.

STATE COLLIERIES. « A CONFERENCE. CERTAIN PROPOSALS SUBMITTED. [BY- TELEGRAPH — SPECIAL TO THE POST.] GREYMOUTH, This Day. In connection with the trouble at the Slate collieries, a conference between the mine manager and union representatives was held this afternoon, whereat the former placed before the meeting certain proposals which, it is understood; emanated from Wellington. The miners asked for time to place the proposition before the union. This was acceded to, and the conference adjourned till to-morrow. The nature of the proposals made on behalf of the Minister of Mines has not yet been disclosed. A FRIENDLY SPIRIT. NO CAUSE FOR THINKING THERE ' WILL BE TROUBLE. fBT TELEGRAPH — PKESS ASSOCIATION.! GREYMOUTH, 17th Nov. The negotiations between the mine manager and the union delegates are being carried out in the most friendly manner, and there .appears to be no cause for* thinking that thei - e will be trouble at the township. The miners ..view with suspicion the actipn of the Westport companies in putting on double shifts. As a result of the meeting this afternoon, it was decided this evening to submit the matters in dispute with the manager to a ballot to : morrow morning. AN EXPLANATION. WESTPORT COMPANY NOT SUPPLYING OUTSIDE DEMANDS. * WESTPORT, 17th November. In regard to the statement in a telegram from Greymouth that the miners view with suspicion the action of the Westport companies in putting on double shifts, Mr. Curtis, manager of the local branch of the Westport Coal Company, explains that his company has only resumed the shift which was knocked off some months ago, and that this is done to meet New Zealand demand, and the Isunkering of vessels at Wellington and^ other ports, and also to meet the- demands of the gasworks in different parts of New Zealand. His company, he says, is not supplying outside demands. All the coal -whicti it cap supply is required in New Zealand. No other company in this district- is working a double shift, but both the Stockton and State mines (in consequence of the increased demand) are working with practically no loss of time. TONE NOT TOO HOPEFUL. EXCHANGE OF CABLES. [by teleghaph — special to the post.] GREYMOUTH, This Day. So far there is nothing new to report in connection with the mine difficulty?" Word is expected to-day from the management as to what they intend to do. No doubt the difficulty has been referred to Wellington. Thq tone amongst residents does not appear too hopeful. \ " The following cables have been received and sent by Mr. Semple, president cjf the Miners' Federation ; — "Request that no coal be sent to -Australia. Letter" following. — A. Grey, secretary Dellawarra Federation, Sydney." * The following is the reply : — , "P. Bowling, president of the Miners' Federation, Newcastle. — Yours righteous fight. Take any action considered necessary to ensure victory. Advise. — Semple."