THE COAL MINERS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVIII, Issue 18534, 9 October 1920, Page 9

THE COAL MINERS.

PUKEMIRO DISPUTE. [Per Press Association.] WELLINGTON, October 8. In a Statement to-day Air Arbucltle, secretary of the Aimers’ Federation, said that before tho owners’ executive oame to a decision to withdraw tho offer to refer the Pukemiro dispute to tho National Disputes Committee, they were informed that the Pukemiro Union was bound to agree to the proposal of tho Federation. Tho owners were merely attempting to smash the Federation by keeping disputes going and refusing to abide by the national agreement. He accused owners ot withdrawing tho offer regarding tho Disputes Committee as soon as thoj saw that it would be accepted. Stop-work meetings of all unions will be held next Wednesday, to decide tho future course of action. PUKEMIRO BALLOT CANCELLED. [Per Press Association.] AUCKLAND, October 8. The Pukemiro mine was again idle today. The union was engaged in completing the ballot on tho question whether the men should resume work, when word came that the Coal Owners’ Association had withdrawn the latest offer. This was followed bv an instruction from the Miners’ Federation cancelling the previous instructions regarding the holding of a ballot, and advising tho union that the matter had now been referred to the whole of the coalmining unions of the Dominion. Tho ballot was therefore not completed. Tho general opinion in Huntly today was that but for tho sudden decision of tho coal owners tho ballot would have resulted in favour of the men resuming operations.