RECENT MINING CONFERENCE.

Grey River Argus, 16 May 1917, Page 3

RECENT MINING CONFERENCE.

STATEMENT BY FEDERATION.

PROTEST TO THE GOVERNMENT,

WELLUNGTON, May 15.

A statement has been issued signed by president; Coppersmith, vicepresident, and Arbuekle, secretary of the Miners' Federation, replying to the employers' statement regarding last week's conference. The Federation does not dispute the employers' statement so far as it relates to the happenings when the employers and the men's representatives met, but denies that any conference was held.' The Federation declares that the employers positively refused to confer with the employees' representatives the meeting resolving itself into, a form of deputation, the. employers merely delivering their ultimatum and then refusing to say anything further, though the miners' delegates strained every point in an endeavour to peTsuade the "employers, to discuss the men's grievances in detail.

The Federation does not consider that the employers', offer is as liberal as the employers' statement claimed. It "-j-anted a 24 per cent, advance on .the former offer, but the employers Refused to discuss the changes which the miners consider necessary in the working conditions; and which are imperative in., some of the mines, for the preservation of life and limb, which comes before any consideration of increased wages.

The Federation points out that the cost of production has increased Bd. per ton and consumers are asked to pay Bs. per ton more.

The Federation criticises the Government's attitude towards the miners and urges action under the War Regulations to compel the coal-owners to discuss the matters in dispute properly, instancing the fact, that the Government stepped in to secure wool at a fixed price when there was a danger of a stoppage of the supplies needed •for clothing for the troops.