STATE COAL MINERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 14225, 23 November 1909, Page 5

STATE COAL MINERS.

A STRIKE IMMINENT.

CAUSE OF THE DISPUTE.

[BY TELEGRAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

Greyjiouth, Monday. The position at the State coal mine is causing much anxiety locally. It was common rUmour throughout the day that a strike would bo declared, but so far nothing out of the ordinary has taken place.

The manager, Mr. Bishop, on being interviewed at a late hour to-night, said he was still confident that a settlement would De arrived at. The men demand that the management do the trucking, while the latter consider that the hewing' rate should be reduced. Mr. Bishop added that he had been in conference with the miners' representatives all day, and had put his final conclusions bef6re them. He was acting from instructions from headquarters in Wellington. The men promised to communicate with him if they came to a conclusion, but up to 11 o'clock they had not done so. The men were firm and would not accept any compromise. .

The general opinion in the township is that there will be a stoppage of work and the manager's advice that a temporary stoppage will cause great harm will be disregarded. The men went to work on the four o'clock shift, but it is doubtful if they will start work at eight a.m. to-morrow. Mr. Bishop has done his utmost to effect a settlement. The opinion is expressed that-a strike will take place. [by telegraph. SPEClAL CORRESPONDENT.] Wellington, Monday. The Minister for Mines (Hon R. McKenzie), when questioned by your representative to-night regarding the trouble at the State coal mine, said that he had nothing, to communicate beyond that the negotiations for a settlement were still proceeding. *