MINING STOPPAGE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17180, 25 October 1923, Page 8

MINING STOPPAGE.

MINISTER’S STATEMENT, i Pkk Press Association*. R E EFT ON . October Interiewed by an • Inangabiia Times ’’ reporter this morning m regard t-o the abortive conference at Itecdton yesterday. Mr Anderson said that he much regretted he had not been successful, but it was not to be wondered at when the viewpoint of the opposing parties was taken into consideration. The miners’ delegates were very much opposed to approaching the Arbitration Court in any wav whatever. This could be seen by their whole attitude throughout the various negotiations that had taken place. This attitude could only he explained by a want of confidence in the institution. On the other side, the mine owners claimed to have an award, and while willing to discuss on the spot all matters in dispute outside the terms of the award, they would not discuss any item embodied in it. This attitude was maintained right through the conference by- their representatives, both at Wellington and Reefton. As a solution of the present trouble, the mine owners were pie pa red to agree to cancel the present award and through the machinery of the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act. to apply for a new award when all the points in disDUto could he discussed.