COAL DISPUTE

Hokitika Guardian, 11 June 1932, Page 5

COAL DISPUTE

NO INTERVENTION ON PART OF THE GOVERNMENT (By Telegraph—Per Pre'ts Asiociation ) WELLINGTON Jane 10. “Tlic Government has no intention, at the moment, of intervening in the dispute between the coal mine owners and tile miners, which has led to the iiiiculi.il strike. The dispute is regarded, as one between the employers ami 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. Lucre was no reason for the Government to st. n in.

Although it 'wae watching- the position closely, he said, the Government would not interfere unless it was 1 forced to dp so through the occurrence of any unlawful acts, of which there was no sign at the moment; or unlees there was' a unanimous desire by both side for the State to take part. MINISTER OF MINES. AND THE LABOUR PARTY, WELLINGTON, June 10. Hon. CL E. Macmillan, Minister of Mines, has t’eleaeed fpr publication the text of telegrams which have passed beteen him apd the Leader of the Labour Party, Mr H, E, Holland. Tn a telegram to the. Minister, Mr Holland said: “I strongly urge the Government to bring pressure to secure #n 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 jn insisting that the miners shall accept a drastic change in the existing conditions in one important particular before a new agreement rdiall be discussed, is wholly untenable, and should not be permitted to lay the coal industry idle.” The Minister of Mines 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.