GOAL DEADLOCK

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIII, Issue 10062, 29 August 1918, Page 5

GOAL DEADLOCK

STEPS TAKEN BY CABINET TO SECURE IAIAIEDIATE RETURN TO WORE. INQUIRY AS TO COST TO BE HELD Cabinet discussed the coal deadlock at considerable length yesterday after, non. The' Acting Prime Minister (the -ron. Sir James Allen) afterwards stated to a “Times” representative, “The Government has taken steps to secure tTTit the miners return immediately to work. They have decided also to institute an inquiry, under sections i and 8 of the Cost ot Living Act, into the cost of production of coal and if its distribution.” Under the sections in question the inquiry may be hold either by the Board of Trade direct or by some other person or persons whom the board may appoint for that purpose. PROTESTS PREMATURE, uorring yesterday to the published resolutions of the Employers’ Association, voicing the “alarm” with which they viewed the proposal of a Royal Commission,- ••the" ’for Mines (the Hon. VV. D. S. MacDonald) stated that the protests were premature, as the intentions of Cabinet had not been announced. The Siard of Trade, he added, had presented an interim report, and ' the board was now waiting in "Wellington, pending the result of the employers’ conference. If necessary, further powers would he given to the hoard for the continuation of its investigation. The Aline Owners’ Association held a meeting yesterday, and afterwards submitted tiioii* views to'"Cabindt. Bovond this, no official information was made by the Association. BALLOTS IN NORTHERN AIINES. Press' Association. AUCKLAND, August 28. Ballots- were taken by- the miners at Huntly, Pukemiro; and Rotowaroa, yesterday on the question of a strike or a Royal Commission. The result will not be known till the end of the week. WEST COAST MINES “ uecisslon's buy the unions. Press Association. "WESTPORT, August 28. The Denniston Miners’ Union has resolved to continue" work for the present.' It is assumed-that the decision will be reviewed- in'-' a- fortnight’s -time. The Stockton Union ! resolved by 90 votes to 45 to resume work to-morrow morning. The Alillerton Union, by 207 votes to 15,' resolved against resumption of work. It is reported that when Stockton learned 0f... Alillertqp’s ..decision there was a .strong .feeling in favour of reconsidering, the decision, and that this will probably be done to-morrow, so that indications are not very favour- ■ able to resumption of work there. Air R. Semple,.addressed a meeting at Denniston, Jast,,night, and will deliver addresses ,at Stockton and Alillerton to-night. The Denniston mine is Working, but the others are not. There are persistent rumours of trouble between the Stockton and Alii- , lerton- men and- Air Semple. TWO RESOLUTIONS. Press Association. ’ DUNEDIN, August 28. The Dunedin Manufacturers’ Assooia. tion discussed the proposal that the Government should set up a Royal Commission to consider the coal crisis, and passed a resolution to the effect that it was imperative that the Government should not countenance any breach of industrial., and deprecating most strongly any action tending to override the powers of the Arbitration Court.

The Otago Labour Council passed a motion congratulating the Government on the' action taken regarding a conference, and strongly urging that if the conference fails, the Government should set up a Royal Commission, thoroughly to investigate the causes of disagreement. Tho motion deprecated the action of the Employers’ Associations in endeavouring to create a serious dislocation of industry.