MINING DISPUTE

Greymouth Evening Star, 11 June 1932, Page 7

MINING DISPUTE

NO GOVT. INTERVENTION MINISTER’S STATEMENT [PER.PRESS ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON, June. 10. “The Government has no intention, ar the moment, of intervening in the dispute between the coal mine owners and the miners, which has led to the national strike. The dispute is regarded as one between the employers and employees.”

The foregoing statement was made by the Minister... of Mines, Mr Macmillan, to-day, in reply to a question. Mr Macmillan said that, at the present time, there was no reason for the Government to step in. Although it was watching the position closely, he said, the Government would not interfere unless it was forced to do so through the occurrence of any unlawful acts, of which there was no sign at the moment; or unless there was a unanimous desire by both sides for the State to take part. Mr. Macmillan has released for pub-

lication the text of telegrams which have passed between him and the Leader of the Labour Party, Mr. H. E. Holland.

In a telegram to the Minister, Mr. Holland said: “I strongly urge the Government to bring pressure to secure an unconditional conference between the mine owners and the miners. I'feel confident that such a conference, if arranged, would result in an agreement under which the mines would continue working. The owners’ action in insisting that the miners shall accept a drastic change in the existing conditions in one important particular before a new agreement shall be discussed, is wholly untenable, and should not be permitted to lay the coal industry idle.” The Minister replied: “I am informed that the mine owners offered a conference on the West Coast, which was agreed to, but that the Unions ceased work before a date could be fixed. I suggest, therefore, that you move the Unions on the Coast to resume work immediately.”

IN THE WAIKATO. [special to “star.”] AUCKLAND, June 11. There is still no change in the coal strike position at Huntly and Hikurangi. A meeting of the Northern Miners’ District Council will be held to-day, but the nature of the business to be discussed has not been disclosed.

The strike in the Waikato area is now concluding its first week. The majority of the men, walked out on Monday, but owing to the incidence of the King’s birthday, they have really not been working since June 2, a period of nine days. Some of the heaviest losers, as the result pf the strike, have so far, been the business people of Huntly. The loss to the Railway Department has also been considerable, the only coal being sent out from Huntly railway station being briquettes, and a small quantity of slack coal which has been lying at the mine heads. Most of this coal is coming to Auckland.