THE TROUBLE IN THE MINES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17255, 3 September 1919, Page 6

THE TROUBLE IN THE MINES.

It is becoming evident that the coal mines dispute is approaching a crisis which will be injurious alike to the miners, the mineowners and the community. Before that crisis is reached it would be well if inquiry could be made as to whether a majority of the miners have consciously and deliberately resorted to the illegal and detestable "go slow" policy, or whether they are simply adopting the course so much favoured in politics of " following a leader." The Government has a great deal on hand just now, but serious trouble might be saved later if it endeavoured to ascertain how far the miners have been consulted, whether the issues have been fairly and clearly laid before them and whether they have by a majority rejected all the possibilities of settlement open to them. It is known that meetings of miners were held, but these were secret meetings. What is not known is how the matter was put to the meetings, whether the miners voted on the mineowners' final offer and, in particular, whether they were asked to vote on the deliverance of the Government, which accepted the view taken by the miners that the additional bonus offered should apply at once to all mines. If the miners have, in fact, refused further negotiation in terms of the Government's deliverance the outlook for a peaceful settlement may be regarded as hopeless. But have they? Has it ever been put to them that it is for them to decide whether the mineowners' offer plus the Government's interpretation is acceptable as a final settlement? These queries are put because it is no secret that there are miners, and many of them, who believe that the dispute could be ended on these or similar terms if the miners were provided with the opportunity for an uninfluenced decision. The third party, the consumer, is much talked of. Is it not possible for the Government to act! on his behalf, convene meetings of the miners, and hold secret ballots with the view of ascertaining whether the men desire a settlement or whether they are determined to defy the law and " go slow?" The result might be a surprise to the leading agitators and a satisfaction to the miners and the public.