COAL MINERS' DISPUTE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17426, 21 September 1918, Page 7

COAL MINERS' DISPUTE

SETTLEMENT ARRIVED AT. OWNERS' PROPOSALS ACCEPTED. AGREEMENT FOR ONE YEAR. (Peh United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, September 20. Advice has been received that the coal mine owners oiier to pay a bonus of 7£ per cent, to piece-workers and 10 per .cent, to wages men has been accepted by the miners' unions by a large majority, but the final returns are not completed. The terms of settlement agreed upon at the conference between the representatives of the association and the federation were:

(1) That with a view to securing an amicable settlement of the dispute and accepting the assurance of the miners' delegates that during the term of the existing agreements the federation will undertake that no further dominion coal labour disputes will arise, the mine owners offer to' increase the existing bonuses by 7£ per cent, to piece and contract workers and by 10 per cent, to wages men. (2) That the mine owners undertake to supply the miners with explosives during the currency of the existing industrial agreements at prices at present being charged by the respective companies. The conference also discussed the question of providing means whereby disputes occurring in individual mines during the currency of agreements might be expeditiously and effectively dealt with,"" and in this way strikes, lock-outs, stop-work meetings, etc., prevented. In that connection a sub-committee was set up to draft proposals, which were agreed to as under by the conference, and have since been approved by the parties concerned:— (1) That any dispute which cannot be settled by the executive of the union and the management of the particular, mine, concerned shall bo referred forthwith to the District Disputes Committee. (2) The District Disputes Committee shall consist of three representatives appointed by each side, and shall, deal with any matter which has not been settled by the means provided in clause 1 hereof; failing the settlement of any dispute by the District Disputes Committee it shall be referred forthwith to the National Disputes Committee. (3) The National Disputes Committee shall consist of three representatives appointed by the coal mine owners and threo representatives appointed by the New Zealand Miners' Federation, and shall deal With such matters as are referred to it by the District Disputes Committee. (4) Either party shall have the right of appeal to the National Disputes Committee. (5) The decision of the National Disputes Committee shall be final and binding. It was agreed by both parties that no 6trilce, lock-out, or unnecessary stoppage work should take place in any mine till a dispute had been dealt with as provided for, the decision of the National Committee to -be loyally accepted. It was also agreed that nothing in the foregoing should bo construed to interfere with or curtail the rights of mine managers or officials in oontrol of the working of mines or interfere with the recognised functions of the local unions. Tlie above conditions will remain in operation for 12 months from the date of ratification, and thereafter may be reviewed as may be decided upon.

(Fbom Ooe Own Coerespondent.) WELLINGTON, September 20. The settlement now announced would never havo been reached, but for the Government's interference in the dispute. The* owners were resolved upori a fight, but the Government insisted upon a settlement, and the owners made the best settlement they could. Ihe delegates went back to the unions with the knowledge that the owners gave way unwillingly, and, with this knowledge, they may be expected, to do their best to see that the unions observe the compact. Tho disputes committees to be . relievo them of some responsibility, acting as a sort of buffer.