THE COAL DISPUTE

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 10718, 12 October 1920, Page 5

THE COAL DISPUTE

MORE HOPEFUL PROSPECTS "STOP-WOliK" MEETINGS CANCELLED. MR P. HALLY TO NEGOTIATE. A much more encouraging light i» placed upon the disputo at the Pukv. miro coal mine through development* which it is understood took place yesterday. As [explained in the "Times" on Saturday 'last, consequent upon tha withdrawal by the mine owners of the offer made to the miners, the federation determined to make the disputo a national one and called "stop-work" meetings at all tho mines for to-mor-row. From information gathered last evening, however; it is understood that the meetings have been, called off, in consequence of a communication received by the secretary of the Federation (Mr J. Arbuckle), from the Prime Minister. As a result of Mr Massey's suggestions, it is understood that Mr Arbuckle despatched telegrams to tho various unions cancelling the stopwork meetings. It is further unorlicially reported that Mr P. Hally, whose mediation in connection with several other industrial disputes, has resulted in much success, under special instructions from the Government, is proceeding to Pukemiro with tha object of endeavouring to bring about a settlement, so that work may be resumed at the mine without further delay. Referring to the disputo yesterday, the secretary of tho Federation, Mr J. Arbuckle,' declared that the miners did not call the engine drivers out on strilvi at- Pukemiro, as alleged by the employers. He asserted that tho Pukemiro mine was a dry one, and that there was consequently no danger of it becoming flooded when the engine drivers stopped work. Traversing the developments *f the last week, Mr Arbuckle said the time did not permit of the men at Pukemiro deciding to resume work on Thursday, ponding a sitting of the National Disputes Committee. It was Wednesday morning before ho received word from the secretary of tho Coalmine-owners' Association that the owners had agreed to the suggestion that the Disputes Committee should meet. He thereupon telegraphed the union stating that he had agreed to the proposal. The union would not receive that telegram until .the fojlowing afternoon, when it-would be too late for the men to resume work on Thursday morning. AUCKLAND TRAMS RESUME GAS PROBABLE OP* THUTSSDA'Y[. rp.Ts VUW9 ASSOCIATION. AUOKLAjST), October 11. The tram service was resumed today and the gas service may be re-stored-on Thursday if the supplies expected come to hand. Otherwise there is no change in the coal situation.