UNWILLING EAR TO MR. SEMPLE.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1492, 15 July 1912, Page 4

UNWILLING EAR TO MR. SEMPLE.

, . ♦-, ' OTAGO MINE TROUBLE. IDr Telograph—Preßß Assoolation.) ' Kaitangata, July 11. One hundred and. forty-three memberftj of tfio Otugo Coal Miners' Union (affili-. uted to the Federation, of Labour) met, jirivntely on Saturday crating to consider Die action of tho union jn view of tho do-j - cision oj the directors of tho New Zca» laiul Goal ai\d Oil Company not to toook-,, nise it. Messrs. Scmnle sfcd Howard, of the executive of the federation, wero pre- , sent and addressed tho men. ■ "Drastic action" had been ilircatoned . if a recognition of Wio federation was not extended, but tho meeting ehowed no disposition to take this course. Mr. Seniple- , said .that it was no uso declaring p. stake , unless tho men wero absolutely solid. _ Tho mooting finally passed a resolution, inviting fhe rival arbitration union to tu trial of strength by secret ballot, tho registers of each union to bo impounded, and only members allowed to vote, 'l'his, course is almost certain to be refused by, tho arbitrationists, In tho past week tliey; pained, 40 members and expect more. Sucui a voto would also exclude tho :ndepenilont members, whoso sentiment is, if any-! 'thins, against the federation, and tho. .trouble of Saturday's mooting apparently accomplishes nothing beyond revealing t'ie sot \)f tho tide locally against "drastic action." Conferences nro proceeding Vjctwepn. the niaunKement nnd arbitrationist union on a _ reference whioTi had been 'übmittod with a now to an agreement being arrived at, ,