MINERS GIVE WAY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVIII, Issue 17909, 11 October 1921, Page 6

MINERS GIVE WAY.

SETTLEMENT OF DISPUTE.

DRAWING UP AGREEMENTS.

THREE STAGES PROVIDED.

RECOGNITION OF THE COURT. [BT lELEQKAPH.—PBESS ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON, Monday. A settlement in which the Miners' Federation practically recognises the Arbitration Court has been arrived at between the federation and the Coalmine Owners' Association.

The federation's policy in completely ignoring the proceedings instituted by the owners under the terms of the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act seemed likely to end in a deadlock. With the apparent desire to avoid this Messrs. Davidson and O'Rourke, president and secretary respectively of the Miners' Federation, some weeks ago entered into negotiations with representatives of the owners, Messrs. Pryor and Bishop. The latter expressed a determination not to depart from the original policy of reference of disputes to the. Arbitration Court. However a compromise was effected providing first for district conferences; second, for the intervention of the conciliation commissioner ; and, finally, the reference of unsettled points to the Arbitration Court. The majority of the unions have now accepted the agreement the most significant point of which is reference to the Arbitration Court. ' The full terms of settlement ace stated as follows :— (1) A conference to be held in each district between representatives of the local unions, local companies, and of the Miners' Federation and the Coal Owners' Association.

(2) If any points are not agreed upon at any such conference the conciliation commissioner shall be asked to attend and endeavour to bring the parties to an agreement, and failing an agreement being reached before the commissioner any remaining points in dispute to be referred to the Arbitration Court.

restrict conferences are likely to start very soon, as both sides are anxious to have the terms of the new agreements settled. By its action the Federation has abandoned its demand for a national agreement such as that in existence to-day. It is likely that the discussion will centre on the claims filed by the mine owners. These do not suggest any drastic reduction in rates of pay. It is understood the miners propose that the hewing rates shall be unaltered.