THE COAL PROBLEM

Waikato Times, Volume 91, Issue 14167, 18 September 1919, Page 5

THE COAL PROBLEM

ANOTHER CONFERENCE SUGGESTED PRIME MINISTER’S NEGOTIATIONS: TO END THE DEADLOCK. (By Telegraph—Specail to Times.) WELLINGTON, Wednesday..A suggestion that the Government should make a move in the coal dispute was put forward by Hon. G. W. Russell (Avon) which said he had been told by persons connected with the Labour movement that if the Government called a conference of the parties, the “go-slow” policy would cease To operate.

The Prime Minister said he had been in communication with the leaders of the miners, but lie did not think ,it advisable that the substance of the communication should be made' public at present. He was quite willing that a conference should take place; but he did not think any good would come from a compulsory conference. He had already offered To provide a suitable man —one of the , Conciliation Commission —as chairman of any conference that might be held. He Was prepared to consult the head of the Labour Department to see what could be done. He wanted to bring the ••deadlock to amend, but he did,not want |o be in the position of inflicting another serious increase in the cost of living. The offer that had been matte by the mineowners would involve a slight increase.

GO SLOW TACTICS. ABANDONED IN TWO MINES. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) DUNEDIN, Wednesday. . Miners working at the Raronui and Christie’s mines have abandoned the go-slow tactics. The output at both these mines is normal. It is stated o n authority that the average wage of New Zealand coal miners is twenty-five shillings and some pence per day.