THE MINING CRISIS

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVII, Issue 10810, 28 January 1921, Page 5

THE MINING CRISIS

SITUATION UNCHANGED PRIME MINISTER’S HOPE OF SETTLEMENT. IF THE MINES CLOSE? “There is nothing new to report,” was the reply a “New Zealand Times” representative received yesterday to a question as to whether any new development had taken place in connection with the coal-mining crisis. “The situlation isunchanged,” the informant added, “but, candidly, I don't Like the outlook. There is, however, one ray of sunshine behind the clouds, and it is to be hoped that a settlement may yet be reached. The question to be decided is a simple, but yet a difficult one, and while the Prime Minister hopes for an early decision and conference, there must be some sort of agreement between the contending parties before there can be any satisfactory progress with the preliminary tie tails. “If the mines close? Well, it is not advisable to go into that phase of the question at the present time. No one wants the mines to close. It would mean a very serious thing for New Zealand, and such a development would bring distress, if not privation to many outside the actual dispute. Unfortunately this is always the case in labour troubles, and that is why the hope is so general that a satisfactory way out will be secured.” PREMIER'S INTERVENTION. ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY. It is considered probable that Mr Massey, who is due back in WelHngton this morning, will be given a further opportunity of securing a settlement between the two parties before the miners abandon the go-slow policy to take more drastic action. “POSITION VERY SERIOUS.’’ EMPLOYERS AND MINERS’ jTIEWS. Mr W. Pryor (secretary to the Goal Mine-Owners’ Association) interviewed by a “Times” reporter yesterday afternoon, stated that he could say nothing as yet with regard to the morning dispute, as it was agreed at the recent conference that any statement on the matter should o<xme from the Prime Minister. Mr Arbuckle (secretary to the Miners’ Federation) also stated that he oould say northing with regard to the present position, except thait it was very serious. AT KAITAKGATA DISPUTE REFERRED TO FEDERATION. DUNEDIN, January 27. The position at Kaitangata is unchanged. Six men who refused to attend stop-work meetings are still working and the others are remaining idle. The whole matter has now been referred by the union to the federation, which will take the next step. THE MINERS’ CASE. STATED BY FEDERATION SECRETARY. Speaking lo a “Times” representative yesterday, Mr'Arßuokle (secretary to the Miners’. Federation) protested against the miner Henderson being considered guilty because he admitted using bad language. Mr Arbuckle pointed oift that what Henderson did say was that they both used bad language, but he certainly did not use the language the deputy says he used. “The deputy says that he did not use bad language (added Mr Arbuckle); but, if I read aright the report from the Undersecretary for Mines, he says that the deputy did not tell a straight story. In fact, he could not accept his statement as being truthful.” The secretary denied that the -Miners’ Federation changed the dispute from a local to a national dispute. When the case was placed into the hands of the federation (he stated), the coal-owners were approached, through ' their secretary, with a view to bringing about a settlement of the dispute. Mr Pryor stated that the coal-owners would be meeting in Wellington, in a few dayß, and would deal with the case. Did they agree to meet the federation representative and discuss tha matter, so so to find out the facts from both sides? No; they decided to accept the statement of the Blackball management, and give him the hacking of the association, thus making it a fight between the two organisations, without ever trying to bring about a settlement. So that the accusation that the Miners’ Federation are attacking the whole of the companies because we are convinced that one is at fault, is, like the statement of the deputy, not to be relied upon. Mr Arbuckle denied also that .the Miners’ Federation was attacking the general public. “The miners (he said) ave no wish to cause any hardship to their fellow-workers. Their fight is with the employers against one of the oldest and most vile forms of persecution, a weaipon they have used against all workers who are prepared to stick up for right. It may be that some members of the working-class will suffer through this fight, but none more than the miners, who are prepared to fight for justice for one of their comrades who they know has been victimised, not for the language, but -because be placed his union and principle before the interest of the master-class, who are causing more suffering to the workers day in and day out than ever could be caused by a revolt, against the victimisation of one of their own class. “My advice to the public of New Zealand, if they do not wish- to suffer through this dispute is (he continued) —let them see that the miners get justice ; for that is the only’ thing that will step the fight. We are not prepared to act the cur and let one of our members suffer under the lash of victimisation. It is his burn to-day; it will be ours to-morrow, if we let them get away with this case. The millers understand their class position well enough to know that an injury to one is an injury to all. They work together, live togeher; and, when needs be, i they fight together; and if the workers in the other industries * will not support us in a fight which -will surely be one of their own some day, then we must fight it on pur own.”