COAL DEADLOCK

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIII, Issue 10063, 30 August 1918, Page 5

COAL DEADLOCK

LIKELIHOOD OF CONFERENCE AMICABLE ADJUSTMENT HOPED foil POWERS OF BOARD OF TRADE. The conference of coal mine-owners was continued in Wellington yesterday, and there is hope that an amicable adjustment of the deadlock may shortly be arrived at. The mine-owners have no desire to seo the Government or the general public troubled by a strike at such a time as this, and consequently they exhibit a readiness to fall in with any reasonable suggestion that may conduce to a settlement. It is held to be not unlikely, therefore, that a conference between representatives of the two parties to the dispute may ‘‘o held at an early date. the forthcoming inquiry. The Hon. W. D. S. MacDonald (Minister for Mines) stated } esterday that the employers’ associations ha been misinformed m regard to tho Government’s proposals. Throughout the Board of Trade had been mentioned in all his references to the holding of an inquiry. Any such inquiry would be conducted by the board, or by a person or persons to whom the board delegated its powers. What ho had in mind was an inquiry that would satisfy the public, which had shown great patience, and had a right to know the position. Tho Board of Trade has statutory powers to inquire into alleged infringements of the Commercial Trusts Act, and any questions in connection with the cost of living and the supply of and demand for commodities. Its function is “generally to advise the Gover-nor-General as to how the trade, industries, and commerce can be best encouraged, developed, and protected.’ ’ Sections 7 and 8 of the Cost of Living Act, under which the coal inquiry is to be held, read as under: “Section 7.—For the-purpose of conducting any inquiry or -investigation under tide Act, the Board of Trade may delegate any of ■ its powers or functions to one or more members of the board, or, with the approval of the Governor-in-Council, to any fit person or persons. “Section B. (1) AVhen conducting any inquiry or investigation under this Act, the Board of Trade and any person or persons to whom any powers of the board are delegated shall be deemed to have been appointed under and in pursuance of tnu Commissions of Inquiry Act, and ail the provisions of that Act shall apply accordingly. (?) No person shall be excused from answering any question put to him, or from producing or making discovery of any document, in any such inquiry or investigation, on the ground that tho answer to the question or the production or discovery of the document would tend to criminate him in respect of any offence, against the Commercial Trusts Act' or any- other Act.'* GOVERNMENT SUPPLIES A CHRISTCHURCH PROTEST. Dr Thacker, M.P.. was interviewed by a deputation from the Christchurch Coal Retailers’ Association on Tuesday, and as a result of the conference dispatched the following telegram to the •Minister for Munitions;—“Coal merchants and retailers here contend that the Government is selfishly hoarding coal, and private customers cannot be supplied. Please advise urgently.’’ The Minister (the Hon. A. M. Myers) has replied as follows: —“Replying to your telegram of even date, regarding supplies of coal held by the Government, you may he assured that national interests have been fully considered,, and the needs of essential industries thereby, as far as possible, safeguarded. However, I have this day sanctioned the release of a quantity of coal from Gladstone pier for the household trade in Christchurch, and have at present under consideration further applications from the Christchurch Coal Trade Committee.” DRIVERS’ RESOLUTION. At a meeting of the Drivers’ Union held on Wednesday .right -he following resolution wafi carried;—“That, this union views with the gravest concern the present deadlock that has arisen in the mining industry caused bv the refusal of the mine-owners to meet the Miners’ Federation in conference. to discuss an adjustment of wages to meet the increased cost of living and urges that the Governmentin the public interest, shad at once take steps to bring about a settlement by. calling a compulsory con'erence of the parties concerned.” A copy of the resolution haa been forwarded to the Government. A CONFERENCE WANTED. Press Association. WANGANUI, August 29. The following resolution was passed by a meeting of tho Wanganui branch of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants last night: “That we are in full sympathy with the request of the Miners’ Union for a conference with the mine-owners, and wo urge the Government, in tho interests of tho people, to use its full powers, and force a conference between the disputing parties.” POSITION ON WEST COAST. Press Association. GREYMOUTH, August 29. Up till ? o’clock to-day the miners at Blackball and Roa Had not met to consider the Government proposals in regard to a conference of tho mineowners and the federation, on condition that the miners resume work immediately. 'Official information from Blackball is to the effect that tho jnine« will ho idle to-morrow. The State miners are working away smoothly, but are eagerly watching events till September sth, on which date they again consider the position of tho coal dispute.