The Star. FRIDAY, JULY 16, 1920. THE COAL MINERS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 20000, 16 July 1920, Page 6

The Star. FRIDAY, JULY 16, 1920. THE COAL MINERS.

The Prime Minister states that lie is in communication with the Miners' Federation, and that he hopes to arrange a way out of the deadlock. If Mr Massey can arrange a settlement that will avert serious industrial trouble he will perform valuable service to the public. The miners were uskiiiug for ah impossible concession. They were willing to confer with the mine owners regarding the interpretation of an agreement,, but they insisted that the conference must not come to any other conclusion than that demanded by the Federation. Failing the adoption of this condition, which is the negation of -justice, tho Federation was prepared to take drastic action. The “drastic action” could only mean' a strike, as neither mine owners nor tho miners are likely to tolerate the long drawn out agony of the rt go-slow ” tactics. A strike in the mines would undoubtedly paralyse tho industrial life of the couyi. try. The miners, however, have no claim on the rest of tho community for anything beyond a just settlement, and tho community will not weakly succumb to threats to coerce it. The industrial atmosphere in tho country ia heavily charged with potential trouble, and already there is much about “ the clash that is bound to come.” We do not regard these clashes as unavoidable or inescapable. All that is wanted is the adoption of a reasonable view by both sides. Tho worker should not demand more, nor the employer concede less.