THE COAL CRISIS

Evening Star, Issue 16825, 29 August 1918, Page 6

THE COAL CRISIS

STOCKTON, MILLERTCN, AND DENNISTON. [Pita United Prkss Association.] WEK'I'PORT. August 28. The DenrnVtoii Miners' Union resolved to continue work for the present. It is assumed that the decision will bo reviewed in a fortnight's time. The Stockton minors resolved, by 90 votes to 45. to resume work to-morrow morning. The Millerton miners, by 207 vote* to 15, resolved against the resumption of work. It is reported that when the Stockton miners learned of the Millcrion men's decision there was a strong feeling in favor of reconsidering the decision, ana that this will probably tie dono to-monow, ?-o indications are not very favorable to the resumption of work there. STOCKTON MINERS EItSUME WORK. ['Per United Patsa Association.] "WEXTPOBT. August 29. Mr R Somplft .-wMiessid meetings at Stockton OJid Millerton yesterday. The Stockton miners returned to work this morning. EMPLOYERS IX CONEERENCE. [Teh United Prkss Association.] WELLINGTON. August 28. The ccw.l mine owners; are meeting in Wellington to consider the question's of the proposed conference and uf a, Royal Commission. The. Cabinet !ui.s not yet considered the breach, of law by the strikers. Referring to the. published protest* against tho Commisjic-n, the Minister of Mine? says they arc prirn.aiu-c. as the • Government'."? intentions have .net yet been announced. The Board of Trade have presented 1 an interim report, and are now waiting in Wellington pending the result of the employers' eon) ererK-o. If necessary, tho Minister states, powers will be given to tho .board lo continue their investigation?. Their function*, however, concern prices, and do not extend to disputes between employers and employed. POSITION OF GOVERNMENT. ANNOUNCEMENT BY SFR JAMES ALLEN. [Pkr United Prkss Association.] WELLINGTON, August 28. The- coal owners put their views and proposals before Ministers tha afternoon, and the Cabinet then considered, the DMifctor. Afterwards Sir James Allen made the following announcement :- The Government have taken steps -which it is hoped will secure a return of the miners to work immediately. The Government are also determined' to institute an inquiry, under sections 7 and 8 of the Cost of Living Act, into the cost of tlio production of coal and of its distribution. The Minister said he could 1 not give, details of tho Government's proposals, because they have first to bo submitted to tha jninera of the Dominion. OTA.GO LABOR, COUNCIL. The Qtago Labor Council have forwarded the following communication to the Acting Prime Miniter (Sir James Allen) and the Ministor of Mines (the Hon. W. D. S. MucDonald): — Jn re coal mining dispute : The Otago Labor Council congratulate the Government upon action take" in re conference of Miners' Federation and Coal Mine Owners' Association, -and if such conference fail to bring settlement we strongly urge that you carry out suggestion of setting up a Royal Commts sion to thoroughly investigate the causes of disagreement. We deprecate tho action of the employers' ns:-ociations endeavoring to create serious dislocation j of industry. The Auckla.nd Employers' Association passed a resolution simitar to that pas.sed at Dunedin, Wellington, Christelnireh, and elsewhere. --=