MINING DISPUTE

New Zealand Times, Volume L, Issue 11657, 23 October 1923, Page 4

MINING DISPUTE

MINISTER FOR COAST

WILL ENDEAVOUR TO EFFECT SETTLEMENT. “A COSTLY BUSINESS.” The Hon. G. J. Anderson (Ministaf for Alines and Labour) left Wellington lu&t night for lieefton, for the purpose of 'meeting on the spot the parties to the mining dispute, with a view to securing. if at all possible, an amicable settlement of the point© at issue. Some ten days ago the Minister, it is understood, was interviewed by a number of Labour M.P.’s with regard to the crisis, and stated to them that if either side asked him to intervene in the dispute he was prepared to dc so. On Monday of last week, the Laboui members, together with prominent representatives of the West Coast Miners’ unions, again interviewed Air Anderson. and at their request he agreed to approach the mine owners. In consequence an informal conference took plr ;e on Thursday and Friday last between representatives of the two parties to the dispute, the Minister preriding; and on Friday night the miners’ representative© left for the West Coast to put before the men tbe proposals discussed at the conference. A further conference is now to take place at lieefton, and it is hoped that a settlement will then be arrived at. “A FOOLISH STEP.” “It has been a foolish step and a costly business.” said a prominent Wellington business man to a “New Zealand Times” reporter, “and cannot be calculated to improve the relations between employers and employees. “It has been a silly affair, in my opinion, and should have been settled long before this. The men are doing no good to themselves or those dependent on or associated with them. The companies don’t like it, and the result of the whole affair has been to increase our business relations with Newcastle. “Some of the miners on the other side have agreed to give a percentage of their earnings to help the men out of work in New Zealand. No one will fail to understand their motive©, but while favourable comment may be made on tho solidarity of labour it grieves me to see the large shipments of Newcastle coal coming to New Zealand, which should be exporting cool and getting money for it, instead of importing coal and sending good money out of the Dominion.”