N.Z. COAL MINES.

Timaru Herald, Issue 170307, 30 August 1920, Page 5

N.Z. COAL MINES.

THREAT OF WIDSOERREAD ACTION. SOUTHERN 7 DISFUTE MUST BE isWrrixEl). (Per Rreis Association.) WEIaLINGTON. August 28. It was authoritatively stated jn Wellington to-day tJiat the coal miners' throughout ISevv Zealand have decided tu restrict the output as a iire-limmary to sterner tactics, intended to ehiorco a settlement of the long-standiuk dispute ac the Green island, Taratu, aud iVlalaura, mines.

It is known as the "go slow"' policy, and is actually in operation at the Taupiri, State and Blackball mines, and as a resuit of the decisions arrived at l;y other unions, will probaly bo in operation in all tile mines by Monday. Miners a,s a whole nre said to be determined that the disputes mentioned shall.' be settled forthwith, and if a satisfactory solution of the difficulties be not arrived at by the middle of next week a general stoppage of work at ail mines may be looked for. Further action will be considered at stop-work meetings to be held by all unions next week.

ARRANGEMENTS FUR SETTLEMENT.

' DTJNEDIIv. A ugust 28.. - J.ii reference to a. telegram yesterday statin" that some of the West Coast coal miners bad decided to go slow as a method of forcing the Government to make the Tarntu and Green Island Coal Companies observe the conditions of the national agreement, these companies deny that they are breaking the ••stem mem. The present <,ue.stio:i is really as to what- was the pre-war it. to of piy. and the companies concerned thought that was fixed by the Tisputes Committee in Jurat, but since then the miners have opened it up again. A meeting of coal mine owners to-day agreed that the whole of the matters iii dispute at various mines shall bg. rejrrred to Mr I'. Hally, chairman of the National Disputes Committee.. The em- ( p'oyers state that they are villing to abide by Mr Hally's decision. j

COAL RESERVES- SMALL

IMPORTS UNCERTAIN

(Special to the "Herald. ')

WELLINGTON, August 28. The revival of the ""go slow" policy at the coal mines is regarded in official circles as a very serious matter. The Dominion is still living hand-to-mouth as 1 far as coal is concerned. The railway reserves are so small that a cut in the railway services would become necessary quickly if the weekly supplies are reduced. Other industries have scarcely any reserves at all. The amount of coal coining from Newcastle at the present time is satisfactory, but there is no guarantee that supplies from that quarter will be maintained. The latest official information on the subject suggests, indeed, that New Zealand must be prepared to see its coal imports reduced to some extent during the rest of this year, owing to the threatened shortagei in Australia's home market. The reduction of imports will be a. serious matter in itself, and will be accentuated if the output of the New Zealand mines'is cut down attain.

The points in dispute as between tho miners and the coal mino owners are very small. The amount of money involved is merely a. few hundred nounds per annum, and neither side can be particularly concerned about the financial aspect, but the miners state that the agreement is not being interpreted fairly, and that their interpretation must be adopted by the enmloyers. The employers do not concede the fairness of the miners' interpretation, butare willing tp refer the points in dispute to an impartial arbitrator. The miners, so far, have not accepted this offer of arbitration, and apparently they do not intend to accept it.