THE COAL CRISIS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17882, 30 August 1918, Page 4

THE COAL CRISIS.

CLOUD LIFTING.

CONFERENCE AND COMMISSION,

[From Oor Corbespondest.J. WELLINGTON, August 29. =, It now is becoming evident that th« Government has induced the coal mine owners to accept a conference with the miners' leaders, which the Miners' Federation has been requesting for several weeks. The coal owners are fully ajive to the serious national issues at stake over the.maintenance of the coal output, and have, I understand, promised to concede the disputed point of a conference on condition that all the miners resume work;

Thus the prospects of a peaceful settlement have greatly improved; There is to be a commission of inquiry; as well as a conference of the two parties to the dispute. The high price of coal has caused much dissatisfaction tc consumers, who have been greatly puzzled and perturbed over the miners' allegations of profit-mongering; therefore there is to be a separate investigation of this aspect of the question to satisfy the minds of the public, who, sayß the Hon W. D. S. MacDonald, Minister of Mines, have exercised great patience and have the right to know the position. As the Board of Trade has other important work in hand, the Government may utilise its power to delegate this duty to some other persona appointed ag a commission of inquiry under the Cost of Living Act. ;

CONFERENCE LIKELY. [Per Pbess Association.] WELLINGTON, August 29. Representatives of the coal mtna owners are still conferring here. It is understood that as the owners <do not wish -to have the Government or the public worried by a strike in these difficult times, they have shown a willingness to agree to any reasonable course of action to facilitate a settlement, and it iB expected that a conference between delegates of the disputants will take, place soon. The Hon W. D. S. MacDonald repeats the statement that the Employers' Associations have been misinformed as to the Government's intentions and proposals. In all his references to the possibility of an inquiry he had : mentioned the Board of Trade and any investigation would be by this body or persons to whom the board could delegate its powers. The .Minister has in mind an» inquiry of a kind to satisfy ■the public, which has exercised great patience.

THE GREY (X)LLIERIES, [Per Press Association.] GREYMOUTH, August 29. ' Up till two o'clock to-day the miners at Blackball and Roa had not. met to consider the Government proposals regarding a conference of mine owners and the Federation, on condition that the'miners resume work immediately. Official information from Blackball "is to the effect that the mines will be idle to-morrow. The State miner» are>working away smoothly, but are eagerly watching events till September 5, on, which date .they again will consider the position of the coal dispute.

STOCKTON MINERS RESUME.

[Per Press Association;] WESTPORT, August 29.

Mr R. Semple addressed meetings a* Stockton and Millerton yesterday. The Stockton miners returned to work this morning, but the Millerton men, by a substantial majority, decided to remain out. [Per Prkss Association.] WANGANUI, August 29. The following resolution was passed by a meeting of the Wanganui branch of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants last night:—"That we axe in full sympathy with the request of the Miners' Union for a conference with the mine owners; and we urge the Govy ernment, in. the interests of the people, to use its full powers and force a conference between the disputing parties."