CLOUDS GATHER.

Timaru Herald, Volume XCVIII, Issue 170576, 5 August 1921, Page 7

CLOUDS GATHER.

MINING IMPASSE. THREAT TO IGNORE ARBITRATION. Per Presn Association. DUNEDIN, August 4. ’llie assessors for the miners’ unions in the Utago and Southland dispute, in which tlie men were cited by the employers, did not appear before the Conciliation Council this morning. Commissioner Hagger said that lie would advise the unions to appoint assessors, and if they did not he would himself appoint them. If they did not turn up tho dispute would go before the Oourt as having no recommendation. Mr Bishop, acting secretary of the Aline Owners’ Association, said that he liad been notified by tlie Federation, that it would not recognise the Arbitration Court. Tlie owners’ only reason. for seeking individual agreements was that they found it impossible to make any arrangement in any other way, conditions being different in various mines. Tlie sitting was adjourned to August 23 for the Commissioner to act as indicated. MINERS’- YIEW. WELLINGTON, August'4. Air .Arbuckie secretary to the Aimers’ Federation, in reply to the in mo owners’ refusai to consider the renewal of a national agreement, states : “Tho Federation will not consider local agreements. The miners will fight, to tlie last ditch before giving up a national agreement, which was only brought about after negotiations had cost the Government, miners and owners much money. Now we have the owners refusing to continue the form of agreement under which, the industry is more settled than previously. 'There can only be one reason for the owners’ present attitude, namely, tlie separation of the miners unions, and the bursting up of the so that the owners will be able to defeat the ’unions singly, and before tlie old conditions, which -were a disgrace. A conference, such as that proposed, would be fruitless, as the miners have already decided to stand or fall by a national agreement.” Air Arbuckie reiterates the request for another conference to consider the renewal of tho national agreement. The miners will cease work if the Arbitration Court makes awards over-riding tlie present national agreement. . GOVERNMENT’S POSITION. Sir Francis Bell approached regarding tlie declaration of the miners’ policy in opposition to local agreements made by Mr Arbuckie, said: “I cannot make any statement in regard to the general question. lam only concerned so far as the Government mines might be affected. Outside of them the matter rests between tho miners and the mine owners.” Air Arbuckie, interviewed by a “Times’ reporter, said: “No miners union would be represented at the Conciliation Court proceedings. AYe are ignoring the proceedings. Should tho Arbitration Court attempt to make an agreement or an award over-riding tho existing agreement the miners aro fullv prepared to cease work. VVo would be prepared to figlit for an extension of the present national agreement, with such alterations as might be deemed advisable.”