MINING DISPUTE

Greymouth Evening Star, 20 September 1923, Page 2

MINING DISPUTE

STATE MINES MEETING.

The mining deadlock continues, and signs of an early settlement have not yet appeared. Ail the horses are being taken out of the Blackball mine, and will be sent to the paddocks to-morrow. A large attendance of State miners last evening heard the delegates from, the AVest Coast Council, Mr. W. Balilerstone speak on behalf of the idle miners speak with reference to the dispute. After discussing the position, the meeting adjourned lor a week to enable the secretary of the Miners’ Federation, Mr. I’. O’Rourke, to address them. It is understood that the State miners will not cease work in sympathy with the men at lhe other mines, but will give financial assistance. MINERS’ CONFERENCE. A meeting of the Miners’ Council, held at AVestport, attended by Messrs J. Mcßride (chair), AVhittle, Lock, Minchin and Ealderstone, representing Ngakawau, Denniston, Millerton, Roa and Blackball, resolved, after fully discussing the mining crisis: —

That all affiliated unions be asked to remain solid on the issues raised and to make every effort to defeat the efforts of the coal mine, owners to break up the miners organisations and impose intolerable conditions. That the assistance of the Secretary of the Miners’ Federation be sought with a view to bringing the crisis to a successful issue. That the efforts of Messrs H. E. Holland and J. O’Brien M’s P. to assist the miners beaccepted and that they be asked to use their endeavours to gain the moral and financial support of the Labour Party. That delegates be sent to place the position fully before organised Labour in New Zealand and Australia, any money coming from the latter to be treated as a loan. That Messrs P. O’Rourke and H. L.‘ Evans, and failing this, Mr. AleBride be asked to tour New Zealand n behalf of the miners.

A ELKLAND RESOLUTIONS.

AUCKLAND, September 20.

At trie Trades Hall, a large gathering ui trade unniun and Labour Party representatives, including all the local Labour members, was addressed by Air Holland, M.P., who detailed the events which led up to the presenjt position at tlie coal mines on the West Coast.

lhe oipinion was expressed that the attitude adopted by the coal mine owners was actuated by political rather than industrial motives in an endeavour to discredit the Labour movement generally, in view of the uncertainty of the political situation and tne possibility of an early general election. It was further suggested that the way out of the difficulty was for the Governtnent to give immediate effect to the recommendations contained in the Industries’ Committee’s report, unanimously adopted by Parliament in 1919, and since'shelved.

lhe following resolution was unanimously carried : “This meeting of representatives of the industrial and political organlisatons of Labour in Auckland emphatically protests against the action of the coal mine owners in closing down the mines on the West Coast, thereby precipitating the possibility of a coal famine. We urge that the prosecutions should be immediately instituted against the mine owners who have created the lock-out. Wo further recommend the Labour organisations ihi the event of the lockout continuing to take steps to render financial and other assistance to the locked-out miners, their wives and families. ”