MINERS DIVIDED.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17014, 12 April 1923, Page 9

MINERS DIVIDED.

4— TROUBLE ON WEST COAST. (Pkr Press Association.) WELLINGTON, April 11. Dissension appears to exist among** the coal miners on the West Coast regarding the .Miners’ Federation and the Alliance ol Labour, with which the Federation is affiliated. Some time ago a conference of miners’ representatives was held at Reef ton, which decided that a non form of organisation was necessaij , namely, that all the unions in the respective mining districts should amalgamate through a council of action. H carried into effect, this policy would result iu the formation of district federations, as against the present Dominion form of organisation. At the last meeting of the Blackball Miners’ Union there was a majority in favour of the scheme propounded at the Recftou conference. When the Alliance of Labour held it.s annual conference in Wellington last January it decideed to send Mi James Roberts, secretary, and Mr I*. O’Rourke, secretary of the New Zealand Miners.’ Federation*, to the West Coast in order to deal with the objec. titons raised by some unions to the A* liance, and give the rank and hie an opportunity of hearing the case for unity ill the Miners’ Federation. In accordance with this decision, Mr | O’Rourke wrote to the unions asking I them to arrange meetings for the i Alliance representatives. The Blac.:i ball Union, however, wanted to have j nothing to do with the matter, and ! the seeretaiy replied, refusing to coni vene a meeting. Mr O’Rourke wrote ! strong letter of protest at wliat he I termed the dogmatic action of the i Blackball Union, and saying he would visit the Coast despite the opposition 1 Outside the West Coast, the Miners’ ; Federation lias its difficulties. These ; were referred to by Mr O’Rourke when : lie visited Nightcaps recently. Appari eutly Mr O’Rourke was able to influence the Nightcaps Union, in favour of adhering to the Fecfbl'ation, for the following resolution was carried: -- “ That this union has complete confidence in the Miners’ Federation, as constituted at present, and expresses the opinion that, in tlie general interests of the New Zealand miners, all miners’ unions should at once join up with the Federation and so present a united front to the mine owner a.”