MINERS OBDURATE.

Manawatu Times, Volume XLIII, Issue 14205, 2 September 1919, Page 5

MINERS OBDURATE.

i “GO-SLOW” OPERATIONS. j MUST HAVE NATIONAL CONFERENCE. (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, September 1. The mining deadlock has reached a stage at which important developments arc expected, but there is no indication that any progress has been made towards a settlement of the dispute. The National Alliance of Labour has suggested a further conference between the parties with an independent chairman approved by tho Government, Mr Arbuckle, secretary of the Miners’ Federation, has forwarded a reply to the telegram sent by Mr Prior, secretary of the Goal Mine Owners ’ Association, in which it was stated that there were indications that the miners intended to adopt a “go-slow” policy, and in which also the suggestion was made that the Federation should take steps to have the dispute dealt with by constitutional means, namely by referring it to the Conciliation Commissioners in the several mining districts. Mr Arbuckle continues: “We have not received any information that such action has been taken by the miners. The dispute has been placed in the hands of the Alliance of Labour and tho secretary of that organisation has sent a letter to Mr Massey asking him to convene a conference of all parties to the dispute with the right of the Government to appoint a chairman in order that such conference may bring about aa amicable settlement. Therefore, I have to state that on no account will the dispute be referred to the Conciliation Commissioner in any mining districts for a settlement. The only manner the dispute can be settled is by a national body on the lines of the national agreement. ’ ’ Tho Federation asks the Coal Mine Owners’ Association to co-operate with it in the manner suggested. The Federation asserts that the miners cannot be blamed in the slightest for the shortage of coal and says it is desirous that the dispute be settled with the least possible delay. DECREASE IN OUTPUT. AUCKLAND, Last Night. The “Herald’s” Huntly correspondent states that the output at the Extended Coal Mine to-day was only 433 tons, as against the usual quantity of 600 to 700 tons. The men only took half the usual quantity of explosives. At the Rotorua mine the output was normal, namely, 275 tons. There is no change otherwise in the situation.