COAL STRIKE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 14 June 1932, Page 5

COAL STRIKE

MINISTER’S ADVICE TO MINERS (By Telegraph—PreßS Association) WELLINGTON, 13th June. The Minister of Mines replied as follows to Mr Purdy, miners’ secretary, who requested Government intervention in tho coal strike: — “Replying to your telegram of today, 1 am advised coal owners agreed several weeks ago to confer with representatives West Coast coal miners’ unions, and I have no doubt such conference will be held at convenient dale. As there is no dispute between West Coast coal owners and unions, recommend you to urge unions to resume work under existing conditions. Iri interests of all-.concerned, and in view of conciliatory attitude of miners, I hope the suggestion will he carried out.” GREYMOUTH, 13th June. Mr Purdy has received a reply from tho Prime Minister (the Right Hon. G. W. Forbes) (stating that bo is conferring with Mr Macmillan' in regard to tlie miners’ representations for an unconditional conference. There are no district developments to-day. It is understood that the Now Zealand miners have cabled to Britain for financial assistance. EFFECTS AT lIUNTLY AUCKLAND, This Day. Hopes that something might arise out of tho minors’ meeting at Huntly that would pave tho way for the resumption of negotiations in the coal mine deadlock were unfulfilled. Largely attended meetings were held at Jluntly, Rotowaro, and Renown, but in each case tho miners’ leaders reported that no reply had been received from the coal mino owners in response to the request for the 'unconditional re-opening of the conference. Business' people of Hunlly stated that I rude had received a severe blow as the result of the men not working. Although the men drew a fortnight’s pay on Friday, the uncertainty as to the duration of the strike has not encouraged spending. The men are conserving their wages as puch as possible to Iho detriment of the shopkeepers, who inir that if the strike is prolonged over another week or two severe Josses will he sustained. TELEGRAM FROM MR HOLLAND WESTPORT, This Day. Mr’ Holland, Leader of the Labour Party, wired the Prime Minister as follows:—“Strongly urge the Government to bring pressure to secure unconditional conference between owners and miners. Am assured miners are ready to resume work under existing conditions immediately conference is arranged at which all matters in dispute will he open lo discussion with a view to agreement.” Mr Holland sent a similar telegram to Mr MacMillan, Minister of Mines. NO JUSTIFICATION FOR STRIKING STATEMENT BY MINISTER WELLINGTON, This Day. In reply to his telegram of yesterday, the Minister of Mines has received from Air Purdy a telegram to the effect that the present dispute is national in character, and suggesting that the only ! solution is an unconditional conference, ! and requesting the Minister to assist in ! arranging such conference. The, Minister has replied: “As in my opinion there is no justification' for striking, and as the. matter of a. conference is solely one, between the coal owners and the coal miners' union, I am not prepared to intervene at present.”