COALMINING INDUSTRY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LV, Issue 16927, 13 August 1918, Page 4

COALMINING INDUSTRY.

■ w. .% | V -M • ♦ .>« Vf, Vr, •, Pl> GOVERNMENT ACTION URGED-

LABOUR REQUEST TO MINISTER.

A bequest that the Government should intervene to settle the dispute between the Coal Mine Owners' Association and the Miners' Federation was made to the Hon. W. D. S. Mac Donald, Minister for Mines, by a deputation representing the National Executive of the Federation of Labour yesterday. The deputation was introduced by Mr. A. E. Glover, M.P. Mr. T. Bloodworth said the community would be exceedingly sorry to see a large dislocation of industry, such as was threatened by the dispute in question. The Minister had said that the Government could not call a compulsory conference under the War Regulations, but the speaker asserted that it had a tremendous power of suggestion, which should be called into effect. Two or three years ago the Government had settled the drivers' dispute, which was of a similar nature. . . , Mr. M. J. Savage said industrial trouble seemed inevitable as a result of the miners' dispute, unless a third party stepped in. Ilia Government had farreaching powers under the Finance Act to deal with'the present dispute, and it was the Government's duty to see that the mining industry was kept going. If necessary, the Government should assume control of the mines.

Mr. T. Horning also spoke. In reply, the Minister said tho situation was difficult for the Government, He referred to tho fruitless conference between the Mine Owners' Association and tho Miners' Federation in 1917, and to the agreements which were subsequently made by the various unions with the respective companies, and which were confirmed by the. Arbitration Court. Both parties had agreed to abide by the agreements, and the owners now asserted that the men were guilty of a breach of faith. The men refused to cite the owners to settle the dispute in the Arbitration Court, but desired a round-table conference. On the other hand, the Owners' Association refused to deal with the federation, because it contended the agreements were made between tho unions and the companies. The association had not been able to negotiate with the federation in 1917, and it would not he able to do so now. The Minister said the Government intended to see that there was no exploitation by tho owners of the men. fie admitted that consumers were paving a high price for coal, but was not able to say if the middleman was making an excessive profit. The Board of Trade, with the assistance of an expert, was at present inquiring into this particular matter. The Minister assured the deputation of his sympathy with their views, and said he was hopeful that something would yet be done to avert a dislocation of industry.