COALMINE TROUBLE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVII, Issue 17593, 5 October 1920, Page 4

COALMINE TROUBLE.

THE PUKEMIBX) DISPUTE. OFFER FROM * THE OWNERS. REJECTION BY UNION. THREAT FROM FEDERATION. [by .TELEGRAPH.PRESS ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON, Monday. The offer made by the executive of the Coalmine Owners' Association with a view to arriving at some means of settling the coal dispute has been rejected by the Pukemiro Miners' Union, and the general position in the coal industry is now considered to be acute.

The proposal made by the employers was that the Miners' Federation and the Pukemiro -Miners' Union should give an undertaking in writing, to be embodied in a supplementary agreement, that in the event of any 'dispute or stoppage of work the mine enginedrivers should not on any pretext whatever refuse to perform any duties necessary in connection with pumping operations or the ventilation of the mine. This offer was made as a qualified acceptance of the miners' demand that the enginedrivers should remain members of the Miners' Union.

Mr. Arbuckle, secretary of the Miners' Federation, informed a reporter to-night that the members of the Pukemiro Miners' Union to-day had definitely decided that they would 'not accept- the coalowners' proposals for a settlement of the dispute. "It is contended, and rightly so," said Mr. Arbnckle, "that the national agreement must be adhered to. Of course, the owners have stated that the union, in the first place, has broken the agreement by stopping work on several occasions, but the same remark applies to the owners. The position is simply this: There is no other option for the federation than -to support the Pukemiro men in their attitude. They must be supported because their demand is in compliance with the provisions of the national agreement. lam leaving the thing open to the owners until tomorrow morning, and if they are not prepared to abide by the terms of the national agreement, then we will have to act so as to force the issue." In reply to a question, Mr. Arbuckle said it would be necessary for the executive of the Miners' Federation to decide what action should be taken.

ME. MASSEY HOT PESSIMISTIC. 5 PARTIES CLOSER TOGETHER. [BY TELEGRAPH.—SPECIAL REPORTER.] WELLINGTON. Monda-y. Though aware that the offer of tie mineowners to the men who are on strike at Piikemiro had been rejected, the Prime Minister did not appear unduly pessimistic about the position to-night. Admitting that the failure to agree was unfortunate, he said none the less that the parties appeared to. be closer together than they had been previously.