COAL STRIKE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 17 June 1932, Page 5

COAL STRIKE

MINERS’ SUGGESTION RESUMPTION ON OLD TERMS OWNERS’ REPLY (By Telegraph—Press Association) AUCKLAND, This Day. The president of the New Zealand Coal Mine Owners' Federation, Mr W. S. Ilolgate, in a statement to-day said the owners were prepared to adopt the suggestion of the miners that the men on strike resume work next Monday under the old terms provided it is clearly understood that district conferences were to be held to negotiate district agreements. A national conference to negotiate a national agreement would not be considered. The position was that the whole strike was in the hands of the Miners’ Federation, of which Mr McLagan was secretary. One national conference forced upon the owners in 1927 had proved disastrous to the industry, and was set aside by the Arbitration Court.

WALLSEND MINE GREYMOUTII, This Day. The Wallsend mine is ot be worked in future on a contract or co-operative scheme. Applications for employment under the new conditions are being invited. KAIMIRO DIVERTED GREYMOUTII INSTEAD OF NEWCASTLE AUCKLAND. This Day. It is understood the crew of the Kaimiro, which was to sail to-day for Newcastle to load coal for Wellington, announced yesterday afternoon that if the ship was going to Newcastle they were giving 24 hours’ notice. Almost simultaneously advice was received of the prospect of the West Coast miners resuming work on Monday. The Kaimiro has been diverted to Greymouth to load coal, and sails tonight. MINERS’ REQUEST UNCONDITIONAL DISTRICT CONFERENCES GREYMOUTII, This Day. Mr Purdy (West Coast secretary) in reply to Mr Ilolgate, states that the miners never asked the owners for a national conference to discuss a national agreement. The dispute is of a national character, but the miners are simply asking for district unconditional conferences to discuss a district agreement. If the owners agree to this the miners will resume immediately under the old agreement and the dispute will be settled. Mr Purdy is aawiting a reply from Mr Bishop. PUPONGA MINE The coal strike has now extended to the Collingwood district, the “wage” miners at the Puponga mine having been “called out” by the New Zealand Union, comments the “Golden Bay Times.” The mine at present is manned only by the members of the Puponga syndicate. . - ,