WEST COAST MINES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17182, 27 October 1923, Page 5

WEST COAST MINES.

DEADLOCK CONTINUES. Per Press Association. "WESTPORT. October 26. The Millerton, Denniston and Stockton miners, at a mass meeting to-day by open voting, endorsed tho action of the delegates at the Reefton conference and declined to take a secret ballot. In the Town Hall this evening a deputation of citizens, introduced by the Mayor, Mr Menzies. asked the Minister of Mines, the Hon G- J. Anderson, to make a statement regarding the The Minister reviewed the proceedings leading up to and at the conference, and strongly advocated taking a secret ballot of the miners _on the owners’ proposals. The Minuter also spoke lengthily in justification of the Arbitration Court, which he contended had done and was doing very great service to workers and employers alike, and ho believed that scrapping the Arbitration Court would be very unwise in tho interests of the country generally. New Zealanders were hoped that common sense would prevail in this crisis, and speedily bring it to an amicable conclusion. A vote of thanks was accorded the Minister by acclamation.