OWNERS’ OFFER

Taranaki Daily News, 9 June 1932, Page 5

OWNERS’ OFFER

DOMINION COAL DISPUTE PROPOSAL for conference no. CHANGE IN SITUATION MORE CO-OPERATIVE ’ WORK SUBSTANTIAL COAL STOCKS By Telegraph.-Press AssociationInvercargill, Last Night. The latest developments in the coal mine strike is that the Mine Owners Association has offered to meet t emen in conference on Monday, June > condition that the men‘resume work immediately. This decision was conveyed to we miners’ union officials at Ohai is morning by the secretary of the Soutland Mine Owners’ Association (Mr. Jt. Tinker), whose letter stated that owin" to the suddenness of the revues , and in order to allow the owners to consult with the mine managers and go fully into the question of an awar ’ we will bo unable to meet your representatives before June 13 and then only on condition that the men resume wor immediately in the meantime. A miners’ union meeting was held this evening to consider the proposal and the men decided to remain on strike. The strike situation on the West Coast underwent little alteration today, says a Greymouth Press Association message. The unions in the Grej Valley and- State colliery districts met and were addressed by the national President; Mr- Smeaton, a national councillor, Mrl- 'Devlin, and the district secretariy,slr. Purdy. This union unanimously reaffirmed the request that the employers agree to enter a conference without the imposition of prior conditions.

The miners are evidently now awaiting the next move by the employers. Co-operative miners in at least a number of instances are understood to be sympathetic with the unionist miners, but they are continuing production in the meantime.

The unions have decided that the safety men shall remain at work pending negotiations. It is feared some of the idle mines may lose important orders unless an early understanding is reached. It is understood the owners of some mines in this district are considering operating them under the cooperative or tribute system, as in tile case of the Blackball mine, where no unionists are engaged and where the output is not very great, but it is certain that any general move in that direction will encounter strenuous opposition from a great majority of the men engaged in the industry throughout th* West Coast.

A considerable quantity of coal already mined awaits shipment. It is understood the Minister of Mines’ suggestion that the parties to the dispute adopt a policy of moderation to facilitate early negotiations meets the approval of the miners’ organisations, and the.leaders doubtless would welcome intervention.

One official of the State Miners’ Union points to the fact that in the case of Wilson’s Mine in the North.lsland the employers are not demanding the same power of engaging and dismissing miners as the owners in the association.

Th® situation shows no sign of any disturbance.

RIGHT TO DISMISS MEN “OWNER'S ALWAYS HAD POWER” MINERS’ LEADER'S STATEMENT. Auckland, June 8. A statement dealing with the coal strike in the Waikato was issued to-day by the president of the Northern Miners’ Union, Mr. R. L. Roberts, who said the workers considered they were locked out as a result of the owners’ action, for they were compelled to remain idle pending an opportunity to discuss the objectionable clauses in the owners’ terms.

The mine managers’ right to engage and dismiss men had always existed, said Mr. Roberts. The union did not dispute it in this instance and was at d, loss to know the owners’ intentions with reference to this point. The only safeguard the union insisted on for the protection of its members was the proviso that they would not be unfairly treated.

Inquiries made this morning from the biggest firms show that supplies of coal on hand are regarded as satisfactory unless the strike is prolonged. There is sufficient to meet all demands, both industrial and domestic, for some weeks, and merchants were hopeful this morning that the dispute between the miners and owners would he settled long before the present stocks became so low as to cause uneasiness.

Stocks held by the railways and gas company are large and sufficient for some time. A ship is due later this month from Newcastle with thousands of. tons from Australia, and most of J™, 18 10 -Auckland Gas Company. The average amount of coal handled daily by the railways from the Waikato mines is about 4000 tons, but yesterday only 400 tons was handled, and this comprised slack which had accumulated at the mine-heads prior to the men downing tools. The Hon. 0. E. Macmillan, Minister of Uines, in an interview at Tauranga, sajd ho would urge the coal owners and miners to exercise the greatest moderation in their attempt to Solve their mutual difficulties. He appealed to the coal consuming public to exhibit its loyalty to the industry by continuing its recent past policy of not importing coal, thus only could the inevitable added distress caused by the stoppage 0: T Induction be reduced to a minimum. : . Union Company has paid off the collier Ivomata as a result of the strike, says a Wellington message. It is possible that colliers will still be sent to Greynionth, where large quantities of coal await shipment. A collier is due at Wellington next week from Newcastle, but it is understood that the coal she is bringing is for the use of the gasworks.