MINE DISPUTES

Evening Post, Issue 66, 15 September 1936, Page 10

MINE DISPUTES

MEN AND OWNERS

CONFERENCE BEING HELD

A conference between representatives of ttie Coal Mine Owners and the miners regarding disputes commenced in Wellington today, but at the luncheon adjournment no statement was made to the Press. Despite the apparent truce m the coal miners' dispute, following Ministerial visits last week, another stoppage occurred in Huritly yesterday, when the Botpwaro mine was idle as a result of the truckers refusing to go" into the mine (reports the "Auckland Star"). The decision of the truckers was made after they had been informed by the miners of their intention to hold a stop-work meeting at 2 o'clock yesterday afternoon. v ' The truckers, on' being informed, saia j they would not work for three-quarters: of. a shift. ' '■ ,' It is understood. that the stop-work meeting was to be held to discuss the rates of pay for coal extracted in a certain section of the mine, which the men contend is a pillar-working area. As a result of the truckers' decision all the men went home, as it was useless to go into the mine without the truckers. ~ Pillar workings are stated by the men to be particularly dangerous, and therefore higher rates should be paid, i

Inquiries made in Auckland yesterday afternoon revealed that the management of the working concerned had no indication of the reason for the men's cSecision riot to go to work and there had been no word'as to when they might resume. All that was known was that the men had held a meeting and that they had decided not to go below.