COALMINES STOPPAGE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18533, 18 October 1923, Page 8

COALMINES STOPPAGE.

POSSIBLE SETTLEMENT.

SIGNS. AND PORTENTS, MEETING OF SECRETARIES. [EY ' teleghaph,—own cobrespondent.] WELLINGTON. Wednesday, : : That' something will happen before long in regard 'to the coalminers' dispute on the West Coast ■ is : plain ito those accustomed to watch the portents of industrial trouble. K For. instance, to-day, at the request of' Mr. W., Balderstone, secretary of the West Coast Miners' Council, a meeting of the secretaries of a number of local unions was held here, and the miners' position was' fully .discussed. No '' information as to (any ' decisions reached was available for publica tion. It is understood, however, that tbo chief topic of discussion was the steps which should bo taken to end the trouble.

The Westport ; business Men's Association is ■reported to have held a meeting last Monday, at which the coal trouble was discussed. It was reported that Mr. Kiinhell, the Under-Secretary for Mines, who has had much experience in regard to -coal disputes, was going on Friday to Wostport, with the object of studying the question of a conference of the miners and coalowners",' in order to effect a settlement. The meeting decided thlat it would be advisable to wait until Friday to ascertain if the report were correct, and that, failing Mr. Kimbelr's arrival, other action be taken. It was further decided therefore that (another meeting of the association be held on Friday, to which Mr. H. E. Holland, M.P., and the Mayor of Westport. Mr./ Menzies, should be invited, and that if no action is taken by the Government meantime, they be asked to assist in arranging for a public meeting for the purpose of demanding that the Government or the responsible Minister at once take stens to bring about a conference of the miners and the coalowners. From authoritative sources it was Warned tonight that, so far as the parties concerned knew, no arrangement has been made for Mr. Kimbell ' to visit the West Coast on Friday. ' The Press says:—We understand that there has been a new development in reeard to the coalmining trouble on the West Coast. The miners, through their organisation, and in /conjunction with the Labour members of Parliament, are asking the Government to arrange a conference between their representatives and representatives of the owners. HELP FROM AUSTRALIA.

MINERS TO MAKE LEVY.

Australian and N.2.. Cable Association. (Reed. 10.30 p.m.) V SYDNEY. Oct. IS.

.A representative of the; v New Zealand miners on strike is addressing meetings on the northern coalfields, and advocating a levy to support the strikers. The Cressnock miners agreed to make a-levy of 1£ per . cent, of - earnings. •;■ ■