FIZZLED OUT

Gisborne Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 4964, 3 September 1918, Page 5

FIZZLED OUT

THE SO-CALLED MINERS STRIKE.

ALL THE MINES AGAIN WORKING.

MR SEMPLE ON THE SITUATION

Press Association Telegram.

WESTPORT. Sept. 1. The so-called strike has fizzled out. AH the mines are working to-day. The coal export last week was 3000 tons, compared with an average of 16,000. A Greymouth meeting of men engaged at Blackball and Pa,paroa mines was held this morning and it was ultimately decided by a large majority to resume work to-morrow pending the result of the conference with the coal owners. In a short chat with a Star reporter this afternoon Mr Semple said that on account of rumours prevalent regarding the attitude taken up by the Executive and the officials of the Miners’ Federation regarding th e dispute he wished to say that the criticism was exceedingly unfair and there was a misunderstanding regarding the finding of the recent congx-ess. The Executive right through had loyally obeyed the instructions of the congress and the officials had obeyed the orders given them by the Executive. In making this statement he would defy contradiction. Right through the Executive had endeavoured to bring about a conference with the coal owners and this was the reason why, after the ballot had been taken, seven days’ grace was given to the Government and the coal owners. The present negotiations were the result of the Executive’s efforts and thev hoped that negotiations _ would leacl to a settlement of the dispute, not onlv in the interests of the miners, hut also those of the general public who required some considerIt had been freely stated that the Executive was not representative of the Unions and that the iimons that had ceased work would refuse to accent the Executive’s advice to return to work. Such was not the case In all cases the union had accepted the Executive’s advice and were returning to work, -showing that the Federation was really representative of the miners and of the unions to ” jg* SS?. tribute to the ma „»ei inL-hfeh the Mjmster for M C fai dl “n g d’the fi miners' m<l the genorM public should he deeply grateful to Tm for the rvoy he Ihad worked «?*r£S3Aai place at an_ early d \ vill he aran amicable settleme resumed work under the Executive’s mstructio Now that all the striking mW unions have agreed to « ce will once, it is -- rSto he arranged, hot' probable it -H ». next week.

great new coalfield. PROSPECTSotYo YEARS' PreBB GREYMOLTH Ie S. 2. The Blackball and Roa miners iesume work Federation eirS’ for to meet the coal states as The Monster for MmM at regards the gr ea miles from Point Elizabeth, seve teach, Grey mouth, { toUC h with that an expert who is i_ bearinK the fin< J u of great magnitude area will pro\ eui acres and comprising close on f containing first ed that the access. It is . n e twenty years present find will £ lV ® found along work. The outcrop 1 ■ , boring the bed of the creek ,vh*t« operations have revealed stated. -