THE COAL CONFERENCE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12718, 13 August 1919, Page 2

THE COAL CONFERENCE.

NO AGREEMENT REACHED. [Per Press Association.] WELLINGTON, August 12. The conference which has been sitting for a fortnight on tho coal miners’ dispute ended to-day without making a settlement. On Saturday the coal owners made an offer to tho Miners’ Federation representatives of 10 per cent increase to contract workers, who aro chiefly miners working on the coal at the face, and 3.5 per cent to shift wages men. the percentages to be on pre-war rates and payable as an increased bonus. To this offer the Federation replied yesterday with a set of counter proposals. In these they asked the same wages for all mine workers, other than face men, as they had asked in the first instance. For face workers and others not specified they asked an increase of 25 per cent in rates, the same to be permanent additions to wages and not payable by way of bonus. The coal owners "replied to-dav that they could not increase the first'offer. An appeal was made by Mr Alison, on behalf of the coal owners, to the Federation to recommend the unions to accept the offer and to remain at work, m view of the very serious position of the country through lack of coal at present. The .federation representatives withdrew to consider the matter, but on their return informed the owners that they could.not recommend the unions to accept. They then left the room and the conference ended.