COAL OWNERS' TERMS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21224, 2 July 1932, Page 8

COAL OWNERS' TERMS.

DISCUSSION BiY MEN.

SECRET BALLOT AT HUNTLY.

VOTING NOT YET COMPLETED. DECISION KNOWN TO-DAY. [rnOM OUR OWN correspondent. 1 HUNTLY. Friday. The final terms offered by the Northern Coal Mino Owners' Association to delegates of the Northern Miners' Union, at tho conference in Auckland yesterday, were considered at a meeting of miueis resident in Huntly this afternoon.

Tho meeting was held in the Town Hall, and thero we.ro nearly 1000 men present. A number were unemployed workers, who, although allowed to voice their views, were not permitted to vote. Mr. T. Bougher, president of the District Council, presided, and with him were Mr. A. McLagan, secretary of the United Mine Workers' Association, Mr. W. Davison, secretary of the District Council, and Mr. G. Green, of Glen Afton. The owners' terms were discussed for three hours, and then, in accordance with the rules, a secret ballot was taken. Tho issue placed before the mineis ■was: "Are you in favour of accepting the agreement? Yes or No. Those eligible to vote were directed to cross out the "Yes" or "No" as they wished. The ballot papers were distributed by the scrutineers of each union represented, and after the vote had been taken they were lodged in a ballot box. The votes were not counted this evening.

Meetings are to bo held at Rotowaro at 10 a.m., and at Pukemiro at 1.30 p.m. to-morrow, a/id the miners living at the coalfields will be given an opportunity of voting. One ballot box is being used for all the meetings, and at the close of the Pukemiro meeting the votes will be counted and the decision will bo made known. SHORTAGE OF SUPPLIES. POSITION IN TARANAKI. [BY TELEGRAPH. —rRESS ASSOCIATION.] NEW PLYMOUTH. Friday. The shortage of coal in Taranaki as a result of tho northern miners' strike has become acute. Merchants' stocks were practically exhausted to-dav, and the Taranaki mines aro unablo to supply sufficient coal. Even if tho northern mines resume on Monday it will bo at least a week before relief comes. The prospect of shipments from the West Coast is not hopeful.