COAL MINING POSITION

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XLV, Issue 12090, 26 June 1920, Page 5

COAL MINING POSITION

RENEWED OFFER TO MINERS. Per Press Association. Wellington June 25 In regard to Mr Arbuckle’s statement about the coal deadlock, Mr Pryor, secretary of the Coalmine Owners’ Association, said it would be sufficient to say there were disputes in the mines mentioned, and the parties themselves having been unable to arrive at a settlement in regard to them, they were dealt with by the National Disputes Committee, which - met in Wellington last week. Even then, no agreement could be arrived at. The coalowners’ representatives on the Disputes Committee offered to have several matters referred to the chairman, but the miners’ representatives declined to adopt that course. Following this, Mr Pryor received an intimation from the Prime Minister’s office that the Federation would agree to refer the matters to the chairman for decision if such chairman would consider the points in the dispute according to the spirit in which the national agreement was arrived at and not according to the strict literal reading of the clauses relating to increased rates of pay. Thereafter he wrote Mr Massey, saying it would be impossible to dictate to the chairman as to how he would decide a question put to him, as he would have to consider the evidence submitted to him in accordance with the terms of the national agreement. On behalf of the Association renewed offers were made to the Federation (1) That the parties should upon a chairman, or (3) accept the decision of the Prime Minister, or (3) agree that the Prime Minister should appoint a chairman, or (4) agree to Mr Massey’s suggestion that he should submit the names of four gentlemen from amongst whom the parties shouid agree upon one to act as chairman. The only condition the coalmine owners impose is that the decisions of the chairman shall be final and binding on all parties. If that is agreed to the coalmine owners are prepared to arrange an early date for the hearing of the matters in dispute.