THE MINING CRISIS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17881, 29 August 1918, Page 4

THE MINING CRISIS.

MINEOWNERS’ MEETING.

STATEMENT BY MINISTER. [Per Press Association.] WELLINGTON, August 28. The coal mine owners are meeting in Wellington to consider the question of conference or commission, and Cabinet expects to receive their views today. Cabinet has not yet considered the breach of law by the strikers. Referring to published protests against a Royal Commission, tho Minister of Mines says they are premature, as the Government’s intentions havo not vet been announced. The Board of Trade has presented an interim report, and is now waiting in Wellington pending the result of tho employers’ conference. If necessary, the Minister states, powers will be given the board to continue its investigation. Its functions, however, concern prices and do not extend to disputes between employers and employees.

GOVERNMENT’S ACTION.

RETURN OF MINERS EXPECTED,

inquiry into cost of produc-

TION.

[Per Press Association.] WELLINGTON, August 28. The coal owners put their. views and proposals before Ministers this afternoon. The Cabinet then considered tho matter. Afterwards Sir James Allen made the following announcement:— “ The Government has taken steps which it is hoped will secure the return of tho miners to work immediately. The Government ako is determined to instdtute.an inquiry under Sections 7 and 8 of the Cost of Living Act into the cost, of production of coal and of its distribution.” The Minister said he could not give details of the Government’s proposals, because they have first to be submitted to tho miners.

POSITION ON THE COAST.

[Per Press Association.] WESTPORT, August 28,

There is nothing substantial to report regarding the coal crisis. Mr Semple addressed a meeting at Denniston last night, and will speak at Stockton and Millerton to-night. Denniston is working, but the. other mines are not. There are persistent rumours of troublo between the Stockton and Millerton men and Mr Semple. The whole position is veiled in obscurity, but something should happen in the next twenty-four hours. ”

BLACKBALL AND PAPfRCA. [Per Press Association.] GREYMOUTH, August 28. The Blackball and Paparoa mines are still idle. The State mine is working as usual. UNION BALLOTS. [Per Press Association.] WESTPORT, August 28.

The Denniston Miners’ Union resolved to continue work for tho present. It is assumed that the decision will be reviewed in a fortnight’s time.

Stocivton resolved by 90 votes to 45 to resume work to-morrow morning. Millerton, by 207 votes to 15, resolved against resumption .of work.

It is reported that when Stockton learned of Millerton’s resolution there was a strong feel.ing in favour of reconsidering tho decision, and that this profit be done to-morrow, so that indications are not very favourable to the resumption of work there.

NORTHERN BALLOT TAKEN.

[Per Press Association.] AUCKLAND, August 28. Ballots were taken by the miners at Huntly, Pukemiro and Rotowaro yesterday on the question of a strike or a Royal Commission. Tho result will not be known til] tho end of tho week.

EMPLOYERS’ ASSOCIATION

PROTEST.

[Pee Press Association.] AUCKLAND, August 28. The Auckland Employers’ Association has passed a resolution similar to that passed at Wellington, Christchurch and elsewhere.

[Pee Press Association.] DUNEDIN, August 28. . The Dunedin Manufacturers’ Association discussed the proposal of the Government to set up a Royal Commission to consider the coal crisis, and phssed a resolution to the effect that it was imperative that the Government should not countenanco any breach of industrial agreements, and deprecating most strongly any action tending to override the powers of the Arbitration Court. The -O'tago Labour Council passed a motion congratulating the Government on the action taken regarding the conference, and strongly urging that if the conference fails the Government should set up a Royal Commission to thoroughly investigate tho causes of disagreement. The motion deprecated the action of the employers’ associations in endeavouring to create a serious dislocation of industry.

GOAL SHORTAGE. TO THE EDITOR. Sir,—With the exception of the word “ walking ” ' instead of “ working ” about town, your report of tho incident at the City Council was correct. Just as a sailor is not a sailor when lie is working as a navvy, just as a shearer is not a shearer when lie is putting in concrete foundations, so a miner is not a miner when he is employed on other work. Your correspondent, W. H. Gibbs, wants. 'to know just ivliat I mean. I admit it sounds like our old friend, “ When is a door not a door?” but to make it plain to Mr W. H. Gibbs, I meant just what I said, that there are hundreds of miners working about this city and surrounding country who prefer to work for 10s to 11s rather than to work for the 19s 6d which Mr IV. H. Gibbs apparently accepts as Gospel facts.—l am, etc., E. J. HOWARD.