COAL MINES DISPUTE

Timaru Herald, Issue 170307, 31 August 1920, Page 2

COAL MINES DISPUTE

MR HALLY INVESTIGATING. Per Press Association. DUNEDIN, Aug. 30. Mr P. Hally, a member of the Board of Trade, lias now completed his investigations concerning the coal mining disputes at Green island. Taratu, and Mataura. The mine-owners have agreed to accept Mr Hally's decision on the merits of the dispute, and he leaves for the north tomorrow in order to confer with representatives of the Miners' Federation. Asked as to the prospects of a settlement Mr Hally said: "I will risk this prophecy: I think the prospects of a settlement are good." SETTLEMENT SOMEWHAT DOUBTFUL. (Special to the "Herald!") WELLINGTON, Aug. 30. The coal dispute continues to be serious. Definite information has reached Wellington that the coal miners intend" to stop- work if their demands are not conceded quickly. They are going slow in the meantime, and the dominion's insufficient supply of coal is being further reduced. The points in dispute represent merely a small sum of money, but the mineowners refuse to be coerced and the miners refuse to accept arbitration. That is the position this evening. Mr P. Hally, who lias been investigating the disputes in tho South Island as Conciliation Commissioner, is expected to return to Wellington tomorrow. He will report to the Government, and is likely to suggest terms of settlement for the Taratu and Green Island disputes. The mine-owners will be prepared to accept his recommendations, whatever they may be. The officers of the Miners' Federation indicate that they i will be content with nothing less than they have demanded. The secretary of the Miners' Federation stated to-day that his organisation had heen prepared some time ago to accept Mr Hally's mediation. This is not quite correct. The Federation demanded that the Conciliation Council should accept as a basis certain propositions that the mineowners did not consider to be fair. The parties have not been able at any stage to agree to straight out conciliation or arbitration. There is some ground for believing that the mineowners as well as the miners would rather have a strike and a swift decision than another prolonged spell of go slow. It is considered that a strike could not extend over any lengthy period.