TNE MINERS’ DISPUTE.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 16218, 24 August 1918, Page 7

TNE MINERS’ DISPUTE.

ROYAL COMMISSION PROPOSED. PER PRESS ASSOCIATION. WELLINGTON, August 23. The decision of the Government in the coal mines trouble is that if the mine-owners do not agree to meet the delegates of the Miners’ Federation in conference, a Royal Commission is to bo set up to investigate all the items in the total cost of coal to tlic. v consumer, including the hewing rates paid to minors. Ono of the conditions to be insisted on is that the men must go back to work at once. Messrs. Semple, O’Rorke and Parry have agreed’ to this condition, and left for the coast after telegraphing a request to the strikers to go back to work. The mine-owners meet on Wednesday to consider the suggestions of the Government. The proposed constitution of the commission is that two representatives of the miners and two of the owners are to be chosen by the two bodies interested, and these four members are to elect a fifth to sit as chairman. It is expected that the miners on strike will return to work next week. SETTLEMENT ON MINOR POINTS. WESTPORT, August 23. A meeting of mine managers and deputies representing the Buffer and Grey district was held in Westport this afternoon in reference to the dispute at the Westport-Stockton Company’s mine, and it is understood’ that an amicable settlement was reached, and that the deputies will resume work on Monday. GREYMOUTH, August 23. A meeting of the State Miners’ Union was to have been held to-night, but it was put off on receipt of a telegram from 'Wellington, which intimated that members of the federation would arrive here on Saturday evening, and confer with the miners on Sunday, putting before them the Government’s proposals. The State miners will be working to-day. Word has been received here that the Stockton trouble is settled, and that work will be resumed on Monday.

THE OWNERS’ POSITION. A CONFERENCE FORECASTED. CHRISTCHURCH, August 24. William Reece, chairman of directors of the Westport-Stockton colliery, informed an interviewer that no decision has been arrived’ at with regard to the Government offer to set up a royal commission to inquire into the coal trouble. A conference of mine owners will be held at Wellington on Wednesday, when the whole matter will he discussed. If times were normal he had little hesitation in ’ forecasting that the owners would remain firm, hut war considerations might influence a majority to agree to a course of action which they would otherwise strongly oppose. THE STOCKTON MINE. MEN not resuming work. WESTPORT, August 24. Notwithstanding that the Stockton mine deputy dispute has been amicably settled, the Times is authoritatively informed that the miners have decided not to go hack to work.