THE MINING TROUBLE.

Waikato Times, Volume 96, Issue 15361, 9 October 1923, Page 8

THE MINING TROUBLE.

NO CHANGE ON WEST COAST. Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn. WESTPORT, Sunday. There appears to be no fresh developments in connection with the coalmining stoppage. There are rumours that the mines will be opened for nonunion labour shortly if no movement is made in the meantime by the miners to resume work. A meeting of the Miners' Council was held in Wcstport on Saturday, the official report being: "In all mining camps a magnificent spirit of solidarity prevails and the council considers it only a question of time before the -coal owners back down from the position they have taken up." LEGAL OPINION FOR CROWN. REPLY TO MR HOLLAND. PALMERSTON N., Saturday. At a meeting of the Palmerston North Branch of the Labour Party today, Mr 11. E. Holland, M.P., made a reference to the statement of the Minister for Mines, that he had been advised by the Crown Law * officers that mineowners were not guilty of any breach of the law or the award but that the miners had contravened the law in "going slow." Mr Holland said that he had telegraphed to the secretary of the West Coast Miners' Council and had received a reply that the Crown Law officers had not gone to the Miners' Union for information in connection with the "lock-out." The miners' secretary had added that the miners were "locked out" for adhering to the Mines Act and Clause 42 of the Westland award. Mr Holland said it was obvious that the Crown Law officers had based, the opinion on ex-parte statements. He commented strongly on the fact that no prosecution of the mine-owners -was to be undertaken, and said he had not the slightest doubt that the owners had created a lock-out.