COAL OWNERS AND MINERS.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 16504, 4 August 1919, Page 3

COAL OWNERS AND MINERS.

CONFERENCE OF MEN AND OWNERS. CONTRACT SYSTEM A YITAL “ POINT. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, August 2. ; When tho Aiming Conference adjourned until Monday a deadlock had been reached. Air. Alison stated definitely that the owners would not discuss the abolition of the contract system, no matter what figures the Aimers’ Federation produced. In reply to a question as to whether, the owners would be prepared to make counter-proposals, Air. Alison said the - owners would bo prepared to other clauses of tho proposed new agreement. Air. Arbucklo, secretary of the Aimers’ Union, said the federation delegates had absolutely no. power to withdraw the five points referred to. They must go back to the rank and file unless these wore discussed. Refusal to discuss them would,, be the red flag to the rank and file. If the owners had no other offer to make then flip fight was on. It was understood that the federation would make a statement on Alonday refuting that made by the mineowners. FEDERATION BLUFF CALLED. WELLINGTON, August 4. AVhen tho Coal Alining Conference resumed this morning Mr. Roberts said that, if tho owners would refuse to go on to discuss the abolition of the contract system it would be no use proceeding with the conference and producing figures. Tho Hon. Air. Allison said it had been definitely decided that the’owners could nob consider the extortionate and unreasonable demands of the men. Air. Roberts had claimed that .'injustice .would bo done to the federation if, it 'did not have an opportunity of presenting figures to refute those quoted by the owners; then why was the federation not going to submit figures? It was because it could not give figures to controvert thqse of the owners. Air. Roberts denied having said that they could not produce figures. They had seen through tho owners’ figures at once. Tho owners had taken one table in tho Board of Trade report and dealt with the mine with the lowest output. It was plain that where the output was small the cost of production was high. In ,no part of the Board of Trade report could they find a basis upon which they could'- commence their calculations. Where information was of no use to anyone the name of the mine was given. Sir George Clifford said that when he made his suggestion regarding figures ho placed no time limit on the federation. He wanted the federation to have plenty of time and then to submit its figures from independent experts. Air, Roberts maintained that it was impossible on tho.basis supplied to give tho figures. If the public wore to have full N information in reference to , tho working of tho mines the employers must throw all their cards on the table, give necessary information, and then the light of day could be thrown upon the great coal question in New Zealand. Air. Allison suggested an adjournment to enahjo the owners to consider the reply made by the federation. -He moved an adjournment until this afternoon.