"TO GET A CANDID OPINION"

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 104, 30 October 1923, Page 9

"TO GET A CANDID OPINION"

MINISTER PROPOSES A BALLOT.

In the course of a statement at Westport, the Minister of Mines, the Hon. G, J. Anderson, aaid that one reason why he wished to see a speedy settlement effected was that every week tho crisis lasted it'became more difficult to retain the markets for the supply of coal. In July, 7816 tons were imported into New Zealand, in August 31,851 tons September 50,976 tons, and up to 11th October, 43,377 tons. He hoped) that both parties would yet come together and reaoh reasonable decisions. They could take the case to the Court, and if the conditions were such as the men said they were, he was sure the Court would grant increases. „ If they, were not, the Court would sift out the position and arrive at a proper decision. Ihe dispute was bringing a lot of trouble and misery to townspeople and workmen, and the longer the delay the more coal would be imported. The employers would lose their markets and the men their work.

Ha regretted that he had not suc°?7u -A n hTin PnS about a settlement at tne Keefton Conference, but did not intend to give up. He would take a ballot, and then common-sens© would assert itself. He knew what took plaoa at union meetings. He had attended them in the older days,, and they could not put the wool over his eyes. The only way to get a candid- opinion was to place in the workers', hands, .a ballot paper and let them say by it what they wanted. When he went back to Wellington he intended to see what further could be-done, and he hoped that very shortly the mines would be working again.

Notwithstanding the fact that most of the mines on the West Coast are not •working, the Taupiri extended mine is at present working only three days per week, owing to the slackness of orders, and it is stated on the best authority that there is a. possibility of a further restriction in working hours. This Is said to be due almost entirely to the importation of Newcastle coal. The large Importations are viewed with alarm, not only by the company, but more particularly by the miners themselves, who ar« apprehensiVe of the Tau|iri extended mine closing down «n-