THE MINING CRISIS

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVII, Issue 10812, 31 January 1921, Page 4

THE MINING CRISIS

“POSITION MORE HOPEFUL” TRIBUNAL, SELECTED: NORMAL WORK TO RESUME. PRIME MINISTER’S REMARKS. On Saturday the Prime Minister made the following statement respecting the coal dispute:— ‘'Another conference was held this morning between myself and the representatives of the mine-owneis and miners respectively, when it was arranged that, subject to the approval of tine executive of the Coal Mineowners’ Association, on the one side, and the executive of the Miners’ Federation, on the other, the question in dispute should be referred to a tribunal, consisting of one representatavo of the mine-owners, one representative of the miners, and a chairman recommended by the Prime Minister. All (three members of the proposed tribunal have been tentatively agreed upon; their decision is to be final, but in the meantime tiheir names will not be made public. On the setting up of the tribunal the go-slow policy is to cease and normal operations to be resumed.” Interviewed by a “Times” representative yesterday, Mr Massey said: — “The position is undoubtedly more hopeful than it was; but, of course, I have nothing more definite to add at present.’’ UGLY RUMOURS AFLOAT. WILL THE JUNES CLOSE? Some' ugly rumours were current in the city yesterday. One was to the effect thait the minors Would i,n all probability rejeat the offer of the Prime Minister to set up a tribunal to investigate the men’s allegations of vicbimisartiiion. No official information could b e'oibbained to this rumour, however, and whale some (apparently the moderate seatiun of lalbofuir) expressed their disbelief fihait such aotiicxn would he taken, there were others who maintained that a crisis had been reached, and thait unless the unexpected .happened and a satisfactory arrangement arrived aib the mines would close down this week. NO CHANGE AT KAITANGATA. FEB PRESS ASSOCIATION. DUNEDIN, January 30. The position at Kadtangata is unchanged, and the mines are still idle.