WAIKATO COAL HOLD UP

Northern Advocate, 21 April 1933, Page 6

WAIKATO COAL HOLD UP

SITUATION UNCHANGED.

(Special to “Northern Advocate.”) AUCKLAND, This Day.

Two of the five companies operating in the Waikato coalfield declined to 'attend the conference held to-day with the Under-Secretary of Mines, Mr A. 11. Kimbell, who arrived from ‘Wellington for that purpose. Mr Kimbell will confer privately with these two companies. In a statement, Mr Kimbell said his object was to smooth out differences so that the production and distribution of coal should proceed along orderly and well planned lines. It was clear that if several of the mines were forced, by uneconomic competition, to close, many miners would Jose, their employment and much capital would be lost. The companies which refused to attend the conference are the Taupiri and Glen Alton companies. The Taupiri company declared; “The existing strike is caused wholly by the individual, ill-considered, regrettable, and unjustifiable action of the Renown Colliery.”

The president of the New Zealand Coal Owners’ Association, Mr W. D. Holgate, said lie did not consider any good purpose could bo achieved by the State interfering at present.

Mr Kimbell’s conference with the Renown, Pukemiro and Wilton collieries is being held in camera.