THE COAL CRISIS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17868, 14 August 1918, Page 7

THE COAL CRISIS.

DEPUTATION TO MINISTER. [Pin Press Association.] ; AUCKLAND, August 13. A request that the Government should intervene in tho dispute between the Coal Mine Owners' Association and the Miners' Federation was made to the Hon W. D. S. Mao Donald by a deputation from the National Executive of the Federation of Laboufi The Minister said the Government intended to see that there was no exploitation by the owners of mines. He admitted that' consumers were paying a high price for coal, but was not able to say if th© middleman was making excessive profit. The Board of Trade, with the 1 assistance of an expert, was at present inquiring into this particular mat•ter. The Minister assured the deputation of his sympathy, and said ho was hopeful that something would yet be done to avert dislocation of the industry.

STOP WORK MEETINGS [Pun Press Association.]

AUCKLAND, August 13 It is reported that stop work meetings will be held to-day by the miners at Waikato and Hikurangi collieries, to consider what action should be taken. in view of the refusal of the Owners Association to meet the Miners' Federaion.

A DISPUTE SETTLED. (Per Press Association.]

GREYMOUTH, August 13. A conference was held at Blackball this morning between representatives of the Miners' Union and tho company, at which a representative of the Labour Department and tho Inspector of Mines were present. The matter in dispute was amicably settled. (It is understood that the troublo arose through the desire of the men I hat truckers and shift men should alteraiate in their work). AVOCA MINE, It is understood that trouble has arisen at the Avoca rhino, Mount Torlesse, but no definite information on the subject was available in town yesterday. ADDINGTON PROTEST.

A mass meeting of employees of tho Addington Workshops was held during the lunch hour yesterday to consider the position in the coal industry. The following resolution was passed unanimously:—" That this meeting of employees of the Railway workshops at Addington view with alarm the attitude adopted by the coal mine owners in not meeting the Miners' Federation in conference,- and thereby helping to alleviate the serious industrial crisis which must inevitably follow such a state of affairs. We recommend the Government to take over oonfcro] of the industry."