KAITANGATA MINERS.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 154, 29 June 1912, Page 7

KAITANGATA MINERS.

MUDDLE THBEATENED. |ZY TELEGRAPH — PBBSS ASSOCIATION] DTJNEDIN, This Day. A deadlock somewhat akin to the W&ihi muddle is threatened amongst the Kaitangata coal miners, whose award expires to-morrow. There has been a split in the colliera" camp, which is "divided into three sections, described colloquially as "Arbitrationjsts," "Fedexntionists," and "Rail-sitters." Each of the two organised bodies claims to have a majority, and each has prepared a schedule of demands. The union is in favour of arbitration, and 'has submitted its reference to the owners. The union seeks fairly reasonable conclusions, averaging an increase of one ehilliiig per day all round. The Federationis** have' prepared their demands, buL have not submitted them to the masters. They seek a little more, but nothing of a° sensational nature. For ehift men they ask 12s 6d per day, whereas the arbitraCionists seek^ lie. That is the most marked difference between the rival demands. Both sides admit that the present daily wage of hewera average's close on fifteen shillings. It is expected that the unattached party, known as "Rail-sitters," will support the union that gains the best terms. The problem before the owners, who are put in a cleft stick as it were, is : "Which onion will they recognise ac official?" The miners say there is no necessity for a strike, .but fear trouble through the division of forces. Meanwhile Dunedia folk ; with characteristic caution, are laying in stocks of Kaitangata coal. ' * -